By Heather Breaux | October 6, 2023 | Sicily, Italy | 3
Our racing editor, Christine Weaver, has generously shared her epistolary correspondence (aka an email exchange) with Bay Area sailor Rick Elkins while he travels in Europe. As a true sailor abroad would do, Elkins has made many a curious boaty observation, espied historic wonders, endured a practically Biblical heatwave, and sent us a mysterious photo that perhaps someone in Latitude Nation can explain!
Elkins is a former race chair for the Singlehanded Sailing Society and was known to sail the Wylie 39 Lightspeed. Now based in Granite Bay, Elkins currently sails his F-24 Koke Honu at Richmond Yacht Club. But this late summer season finds him far afield from homeport.
Elkins: Hello from Messina, Sicily. Took this pic entering the port this morning of a very strange boat with two very long scaffolding/rigging heading out. There is a guy sitting at the top! Maybe a Lat 38 sailor knows what the boat is used for.
Someone tell us what’s going on for the sailor aloft!
Elkins: The Athens Acropolis was the worst, but made it to the top. Wearing my Lat 38 hat everywhere (pic is Sicily). Heading to Rome.
Elkins’ Latitude 38 hat takes a rest from keeping the sun off amid a southern Europe heatwave in Sicily, Italy. We love to see your Latitude 38 love coming all the way from Europe!
When I was in the Med a jillion years ago, I was told those powerboats with the long sprits were used for broadbill (swordfish) fishing. They harpoon them from the end of that bowsprit.
the boat leaving the harbor near Messina Italy with the bionic bowsprit is a swordfishing boat.
the fish are spotted from the top of the mast, and the harpooner goes out on the long bowsprit
to harpoon the fish
California is home to great training resources for anyone who wants to pursue a professional sailing and maritime career. Cal Maritime Academy is right off San Pablo Bay in Vallejo, and graduates new classes of merchant marines every year.
When I was in the Med a jillion years ago, I was told those powerboats with the long sprits were used for broadbill (swordfish) fishing. They harpoon them from the end of that bowsprit.
the boat leaving the harbor near Messina Italy with the bionic bowsprit is a swordfishing boat.
the fish are spotted from the top of the mast, and the harpooner goes out on the long bowsprit
to harpoon the fish
JR is right. These are traditional “espadon” fishing boats.