On July 14, 2023, the presentation and pre-race briefing of the prestigious 63rd Siracusa-Malta International Sailing Regatta were held in the picturesque setting of the Naval League headquarters in Syiracuse. The long-awaited event attracted sailing enthusiasts and sea lovers from all over the Mediterranean, with the beginning of the competition officially scheduled for July 15, 2023.
Sea Marvel’s contribution to this edition of the regatta saw its team spread a valuable message about the conservation of the seas, involving regatta participants in the noble mission of becoming “Sentinels of the Sea.”
The event opened with greetings from the president of the Naval League of Siracusa, Dr. Floridia, who expressed his satisfaction in hosting such a prestigious event again, welcoming all the present participating crews, stressing the importance of promoting sailing as a tool to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the sea and the marine environment.
Afterwards, Prof. Peri, Sea Marvel’s scientific coordinator, took the floor to introduce the goals of the project and the topic of environmental monitoring, which is fundamental to preserving and protecting our seas. He encouraged the participants to be aware of the key role they can play as sentinels and guardians of the sea, spreading the message of how scientific research, combined with the involvement of coastal communities, is critical to the future of the marine environment.
Dr. Raffa, a research fellow for Sea Marvel, explained to the sailors how they can become “Sentinels of the Sea.” She provided detailed instructions on detecting and reporting pollution situations and, most importantly, sightings of vulnerable marine wildlife, giving specific marine biology concepts on cetaceans and sea turtles. As year-round users of the sea, participants were found to be extremely interested in gaining a better understanding of how to recognize vulnerable species and the tools they can use to make their reports to Sea Marvel. The role of the sailors as guardians of the marine environment added a deeper meaning to the competition, encouraging sailors to take a more active role in protecting the sea.
Finally, the pre-race briefing was held, where detailed information was provided on the race track, expected weather conditions, and safety rules to be followed during the competition.
The event continued in the name of active dialogue and conviviality. Indeed, during the reception, project gadgets were distributed to all crews, including flags ready to fly on each boat during the regatta. Many questions were answered by Sea Marvel experts, and with great satisfaction, a strong interest in preserving the sea and its resources was perceived.
The next day, July 15, 2023, the long-awaited moment of the beginning of the 64th Syracuse – Malta International Sailing Regatta finally arrived. The waters in front of the beautiful Ortigia came alive with sails while the Sea Marvel team, guests aboard one of the two judges’ boats, observed the race procedures. Around 10 a.m., after the starting signal, the boats took off to start the spectacular crossing to Malta.
We wish everyone fair winds!
