The safeguarding of maritime routes and the protection of the marine heritage represent fundamental institutional requirements entrusted to the Navy. Just in recent weeks in the waters of Sardinia, near areas known for shallow waters and natural obstacles, the Navy has put in place important maritime signals along some high-density transit routes, especially during the summer season.
The long and demanding Lighthouses Campaign which was conducted by Nave Procida, ensured the installation of two elastic beacons. The first was located at the Secca dei Monaci, east of the island of Caprera. This area is known for the dramatic shipwreck of the Ferry Moby Magic which, on 11 September 2003, struck violently against shallow waters causing a gash on the hull, with the consequent abandonment of the ship by the 140 passengers and all the crew.
The operations began at the first light of dawn, taking advantage of the calm wind made, however, complicated by the proximity of shallow waters, with granite rocks typical of the area and emerging with peaks at a depth of 2,5 meters.
The second signaling was placed in the south-east of Sardinia, a few miles away from Capo Carbonara, near the shoal of Santa Caterina near which there are relics of all times. The positioned cardinal beacon assumes particular importance in the light of the strong storm surges that affect the coast, mainly caused by the libeccio winds and the numerous shoals present, characterized by sheer walls that alternate in seabed jumps almost to the surface.
The activity of Ship Procida continued in the La Maddalena Archipelago, inside the buoy park located in the waters between the island of Santo Stefano and the island of Caprera where, thanks to the 15-ton crane, which the MTF units are equipped with, it was buoys can be lifted, secured safely and released from the mooring chain. In this way, the hauling of three mooring buoys was completed, which will be subject to maintenance and restoration activities. At the same time, in order to ensure an appropriate mooring inside the harbor, a buoy was positioned that will allow the mooring of medium and large naval units.
The synergistic work and commitment of multiple components of the Navy intervened in the operations (including the personnel of Mariscuola La Maddalena, of the Sdai Nuclei of La Maddalena and Cagliari, of the Fari La Maddalena Lighthouse Command) have made possible the successful completion of complex phases intervention. In particular, the combination of initial planning (with the study of signaling, seabed, currents and winds) combined with the skill and seafaring expertise of the ship's crew Procida have represented a fundamental requirement for the positioning of maritime signals in a basin, which constitutes a precious national heritage to be preserved.
