NENE
Sicily to Trieste 2027
South to north through the Strait of Messina and the length of the Adriatic — a continuous offshore passage aboard Nene.
- Route
- Portorosa → Trieste
- Departure*
- 22 May 2027
- Distance
- ~690 nm
- Duration
- 5–8 days
- Crew
- 5
- Seas
- 3
*Provisional and weather dependent
Read the briefingThis site gives the crew a clear overview of the passage, route, watch system, weather process, safety expectations and emergency procedures. It is designed to be easy to revisit before and during the voyage without replacing the formal passage plan or onboard navigation procedures.
For immediate updates, travel arrangements and last-minute information, use the crew WhatsApp group.
Overview
Route
Portorosa → Trieste
Distance
~690 nm
Duration
5–8 days
Provisioning
10 days
Crew
5
Departure
22 May 2027
Provisional / weather dependent
Optional stop
Brindisi
Fuel planning
Possible stops around
Crotone · Santa Maria di Leuca · Manfredonia · Ancona
The skipper retains absolute authority to delay departure, change the route, seek shelter or abandon the passage at any time.
Passage timeline
- Portorosa
- Strait of Messina
- Southern Calabria
- Santa Maria di Leuca
- Brindisioptional stop
- Vieste / Adriatic
- Ancona or east-side alternative
- Northern Adriatic
- Trieste
Five crew. Three seas. One continuous passage north.
The Passage
- 01
Departure from Portorosa.
- 02
Proceed toward the Strait of Messina.
- 03
Transit the strait with close attention to tidal stream, VTS, traffic, TSS, ferries and local conditions.
- 04
After clearing the strait, continue south along Calabria, round the toe of Italy and proceed toward Santa Maria di Leuca.
- 05
From Santa Maria di Leuca, routing north depends on prevailing weather. If conditions are broadly equal, preference is to remain on the Italian side.
- 06
Brindisi is the preferred optional overnight stop if progress and conditions make stopping worthwhile.
Messina transit — attention to
Route options further north
- Italian coast
- Crossing toward Vis / Croatia
- Continuing via Ancona
- Continuing farther north toward Venice before crossing if necessary
Routing may change based on
“The plan is a framework. The sea, weather and condition of the crew determine the actual passage.”
Route
Intended planning route from Portorosa through the Messina Strait pilotage to WP0 and on to Trieste. Tap a waypoint or port for details.
The route shown is the intended planning route only and is not a substitute for onboard navigation, current charts, Notices to Mariners or the skipper's decisions.
Portorosa to Trieste — around 690 nautical miles of open water.
Crew
Each watch is structured so that developing crew operate with experienced support. The skipper remains outside the routine watch rotation and is available whenever required.
01
Mark
Captain / Skipper
02
Marcus
Chief Officer
03
Jon
Second Officer
04
Ian
Third Officer
05
Dorant
Deckhand Trainee
Responsibilities
Watch System
Structure
- Four crew in the routine rolling rotation
- Two crew on watch at all times
- Four-hour on-watch periods
- A protected pre-watch preparation period
- A four-hour dedicated rest period
- A wider six-hour off-watch / available period within the rotation
- Crew staggered so every watch has appropriate experienced oversight
- Skipper outside the formal rotation and available at all times
Rolling rota from the passage plan — to be confirmed before departure. The timeline will show each crew member's on-watch, pre-watch, rest and available periods once the approved schedule is entered.
There is never a bad reason to call the skipper.
The skipper would always rather be woken unnecessarily than called too late.
Call the skipper
- Any uncertainty
- Boat speed below 4 knots for more than 30 minutes
- Wind gusts above 18 knots for more than 15 minutes
- Wind gusts above 25 knots at any time
- Yacht unable to maintain planned course
- Potential collision risk
- Unexpected depth
- Significant deterioration in visibility
- Equipment malfunction or unusual noise
- Crew member unwell, injured or excessively fatigued
- Reefing or major sail change required
- Engine warning / vibration / abnormal temperature / loss of power
- Any doubt whatsoever
Weather
Live route conditions — for situational awareness only
Live conditions on this site do not replace the formal weather-monitoring process.
Portorosa
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Messina
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Santa Maria di Leuca
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Brindisi
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Central Adriatic
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Trieste
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Model data via Open-Meteo · wind at 10 m
Operational weather process
Formal review times
Primary forecast models
Platform: PredictWind · Cross-check: Windy
Official services
- ItalyMeteo Aeronautica
- GreeceHellenic National Meteorological Service
- CroatiaCroatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service
Key considerations
Departure planning criterion
Forecast gusts should not exceed 28 knots and there should be no significant deterioration forecast during the early stage of the passage.
This is a planning criterion, not an automatic go / no-go rule. The departure decision rests with the skipper, taking the full forecast picture, vessel and crew into account.
Paper chart, electronic plot and a good lookout.
Safety
Safety
Non-negotiables
Lifejackets and tethers are mandatory:
- Between sunset and sunrise
- Whenever Reef 2 or greater is set
- Whenever instructed by the skipper
- Skipper's decision is final
- No unnecessary risk taking
- Maintain proper lookout
- Call early, not late
- Safety takes precedence over schedule
- No one leaves the deck until properly relieved
- Increase watch strength in higher-risk situations
Higher-risk situations — increase watch strength
Emergency Procedures
Distress priorities
- 1DSC distress alert
- 2MAYDAY on VHF Channel 16
- 3EPIRB
- 4Rescue Coordination Centre if able
- 5Continue until acknowledged
Ports of Refuge
Harbour details are confirmed before departure. Unknown information is shown as such rather than estimated.
Provisioning
The boat will be provisioned for 10 days for five crew, despite the expected passage duration being 5–8 days.
Food & supplies
- Fresh food
- Chilled / frozen food
- Long-life supplies
- High-energy snacks
- Fruit
- Hot drinks
- Emergency food reserve
- Bottled water reserve
- LPG
- Dietary needs catered for
Fuel
- Main tank
- 100 L
- Jerry cans
- 3 × 20 L
- Total planned onboard
- 160 L
- Consumption
- ~2.5 L/hr at 2,500 RPM
- Endurance
- ~64 engine hours
- Fuel opportunities
- Roughly every 200 nm if required
Conservative fuel planning throughout.
Fresh water
Final water capacity to be confirmed following installation of the new tanks.
Departure Checklist
For reference only. Ticks are not saved.
Before You Arrive
Travel & documents
- Passport / required travel documents
- Travel arrangements confirmed
Personal kit
- Wet weather gear
- Warm layers
- Non-slip footwear / sailing boots
- Head torch
- Spare batteries
- Personal medication
- Wash kit / towel
- Charging cables
- Power bank
Before departure
- Read the crew briefing
- Understand your watch responsibilities
- Review emergency procedures
- Review safety rules
- Tell Mark about dietary requirements
- Tell Mark about allergies
- Tell Mark about relevant medical considerations
March 2027
Crew Training Weekend
A crew training weekend is being planned for March 2027. The aim is to rehearse boat systems, watchkeeping, safety procedures, emergency drills and working together as a crew before the passage.
See the crew WhatsApp group for dates, arrangements and the latest information.