Log book

Old Wharf Marina, vhf 71. We pass alongside what is not a true ship. Or, more precisely, it is a ship, but actually it contains the Genoa Aquarium, something very beautiful and particular.

Roberto Rossi of the Marina started to work here 14 years ago and tells us that at the beginning he started from scratch, because the harbour actually came into being as a place for mooring big craft. When they opened, the arrival of a 45-metre boat – at the time considered a true ship – was a rare thing. Now the boats are 60, 70, 80 metres long, or even 120 and 130 metres, getting bigger and bigger.

Our aim, however, is to be able to give indications above all to yachters, sailing in smaller boats. And we discover that this is the correct place at all events. Indeed, according to Roberto, as they are accustomed to dealing with bigger boats, yachters with smaller boats can only gain by it, since the treatment is the same.

Old Wharf Marina is a true harbour, not a place for a privileged few that live right in the centre, and you can also transit there.

What are its other characteristics? When you arrive here you find yourself at the centre of the old harbour, near the projects by Renzo Piano, the Genoa Aquarius, etc. However, there are also a lot of other potentialities here. Fabrizia Livrera tells us that there are 160 moorings along the quay of the Cotton Stores, which at the beginning of the twentieth century were a general store for commodities coming in transit into the old dock. The Cotton Stores have been the object of an interesting recovery project and they now contain bars, restaurants, Kids’ City, a music shop, a multiplex cinema and a congress centre. It is like being right in the centre.

Going back to the services provided by the Marina, in addition to running water and electricity we can mention quay assistance by the Boatswain and the other people that work at the Old Dock, who don’t simply indicate the place, but bring the cables to the prow to avoid mooring problems. Then there is surveillance 24/7, collection of used oils, batteries and filters and, in the office you can consult the up-to-date weather bulletin in real time. You can also park on the quay, there is free Wi-Fi for clients and, during the year, a series of initiatives intended to make clients feel at home.

How much does it cost to moor at Old Wharf Marina? To stay one night with a 14-metre boat costs about 55 Euros a night +VAT, everything included.

The harbour provides the following services:

• Financial services - ATM
• Health transport
• Maritime bureaucratic services
• Fishing articles
• Used oil collection area
• Bilge disposal
• Harbour police
• Sea rescue
• Short-stay car park
• Long-stay car park
• Post
• Broker services
• Catering services
• Pharmacy
• Services for animals