2015 Lighthouse Campaign in Sardinia: Procida Ship for Sea Safety

30/06/15

In the first half of June, Procida ship, under the command of vessel lieutenant Carmine Tortoriello, in close coordination with the Logistics Command, the Auxiliary Flotilla Command, the Headquarters Command of La Maddalena, the Underwater Operating Group and the SDAI Unit of La Maddalena, put in work two important signals to the north-east of Sardinia.

The first signaling at Secca dei Monaci, known for the sensational shipwreck of the Moby Magic that in the 2003 sailing from Livorno to Olbia, near the island of Caprera, violently hit the rocks of the Secca forcing over 140 passengers and members of the crew at the abandonment of the ship, and the second signal at the shoals of Capo Ceraso in Olbia, where in the 2011 a yacht flying the French flag was saved from the shipwreck.

The positioning of both signals was preceded by a careful study of the orography of the sea beds and prevailing winds in the area and by a meticulous planning based on the evolution of the weather and sea conditions in the area.

The presence of outcropping granite rocks, the continuous wind jumps, typical to the north-east of Sardinia, and the depth of the signals above 30 meters, have made the operations particularly demanding, continued unabated even in the night with numerous dives carried out by the staff of the GOS and the SDAI La Maddalena nucleus.

For the first time, a unit of type Transport Light Bulb (MTF) was used for positioning the honey on the Seas of the Monks without the need for competition from other naval vessels such as pontoon and barges.

The synergy of all the members of the Navy intervened in the operations and the constant and unremitting efforts to ensure the safety of the seas have allowed the restoration of the signaling in sea sections affected by intense merchant and pleasure traffic and which represent a precious environmental heritage to preserve.