41:08.20N 16:51.81E

Time to go and we made our fabulous departure from Vieste.  Everything was done perfectly except running aground leaving the berth.  One of the downsides of the “new” marina was that the other marinas decide to dredge their berths and dump the spoil in the new marina.  Why not after twenty years of no action who would care.  We were forewarned about the depth but a slight tide drop and only 2.7 meter depth for our 2.7 meter keel meant stuck.

We tried the normal forward and backward along with side to side.  No chance.  However the staff saw the issue and were apologetic about the dredge mound.  They came out with the dingy and tried to help, no chance.  Then they got a small fishing boat to pull, again no chance.  So off they went for something better.  In the meantime I dumped 500 liters of freshwater out of the tanks and dropped the dingy and motor over the side to reduce the weight.

The staff arrived with 700 horsepower and we tied it to the halyard.  They pull us over to the side to lift the keel off the mud and we motored forward.  Success.

Many thanks and waving and off we went skimming over the sandbars at the harbor entrance.  Not a problem.

Heading south to Bari, an industrial port.  There are two marinas in the harbor for sailing boats but we are too deep to get in.  So we arranged a berth in the commercial area.  What a pristine place, right next to the tugboats and pilot boats.  But it was safe, quiet and worked out well.  Great views of the large ferries coming in.

The city of Bari looked like a place to visit but we were not really in the mood and had to be on the water early the next day.

Our quiet berth.  Actually with all the security in the harbor only a few fishermen along the wharf were our visitors and they respected the boat.

Waterfront of Bari as seen from the boat.