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Ancona

Region: Central Adriatic | Position: 43.62, 13.503333 | Adriatic Sea / Jadransko more
43°37'-2N 13°30"2E Charts BA 220, 7444 (plan) Ancona lies on the NW side of a promontory, with its harbour facing W, an unusual feature for this side of Italy. The port has always been important. It was founded by Greek colonists and later became an important port for the Roman navy. Today the port is busy with the comings and goings of internation

General

43°37'-2N 13°30"2E Charts BA 220, 7444 (plan) Ancona lies on the NW side of a promontory, with its harbour facing W, an unusual feature for this side of Italy. The port has always been important. It was founded by Greek colonists and later became an important port for the Roman navy. Today the port is busy with the comings and goings of international ferries, cargo ships, a large fishing fleet and the Italian navy. A yacht club has berths in the inner basin, but as this basin is shared with the fishing fleet there is little room for visitors. A yacht harbour has been built outside of the commercial port to the SW of the entrance. This yacht harbour, Marina Dorica, has 1194 berths and is the best option for visitors. It can accommodate yachts of up to 20m. Unfortunately it is a long hike into the city from the manna.

Approach

Approaching from NW or N there is no mistaking Ancona. The city is large, and the hill behind the harbour is surmounted by a number of distinctive buildings, including the cathedral and a belfry. More striking however is the large shipyard to the N of the port, with its huge white hangars and an enormous overhead gantry crane. Ancona Beware of the oil pier at Falconara Marittima (see entry above). An isolated breakwater, aligned SW-NE, has been built approximately 2 cables NW of the entrance to the commercial port. Approaching from SE or E the city itself is hidden until you round the promontory. Conspicuous objects seen in the approach are the white cliffs with horizontal stripes, and (in good visibility) the tall lighthouse. In poor visibility the lighthouse is so high that it can be difficult to see. Keep a good distance off the cliffs because of dangerous rocks, above and below water. There is a shoal and bank extending almost 1 cable offshore from the shipyard. Keep a good distance off this. The Admiralty Pilot warns that strong currents can set vessels onto this shoal.

Currents

The currents in the vicm1ty of Ancona can be particularly strong. From N of Ancona the currents flow in a SE direction. At Ancona they are deflected by the land to flow in a N direction across the entrance to the yacht harbour and the commercial port, and then continue around the corner to again flow in a SE direction. This north-going current encountered at the entrances to the yacht harbour and commercial port should be born in mind when entering. To enter The entrance to the commercial harbour lies between two moles which have stone light towers on their ends. The tower to the N is painted white with black bands, and the tower to the S is white with red bands. From the entrance, pass between two inner moles, again lit, into the outer basin. The inner basin is located to the S. The yacht harbour is located to the SW of the entrance to the commercial port. The entrance to Marina Dorica is approached from WNW. When approaching the marina from Nor NE the entrance lights can be confusing as they appear the wrong way round! The head of the outer (N) mole head has been extended in a SW direction. There is no light on the end of the extension. Pass round the head of the rubble breakwater and then between two pier heads which are lit. Inside the marina are a large number of pontoons. The marina can be contacted on VHF Ch 08 for advice on where to berth. Entry is permitted only between 0700 and 2100.

Lights

Ancona (Colle Cappuccini) LtHo Fl(4)30s1 18m25M