Navigating Lake Garda’s Waters: Risks, Precautions, and Safety Tips
Lake Garda is beautiful. In fact, stunning. Its waves captivate and invite long crossings. “But they are treacherous, hiding a thousand risks”, warns Pierlucio Ceresa, manager of the Comunità del Garda. Do not underestimate them. Just a few minutes is enough—a quick play of air currents— for a storm to descend from Baldo or the mountains above Limone, down, down, all the way to Sirmione.
Risks and precautions in navigation
“Don’t say the lake is dangerous: tourism operators wouldn’t be happy” – advises Enrico Musesti, vice president of the Volontari del Garda –. But it’s true that caution is needed.” The “moods” of the weather, but above all the recklessness of amateurs in navigation, can turn a trip into tragedy. Just like two years ago in August, when three Scottish tourists lost their lives. Or like last Sunday, when two sailors were rescued at the last moment from the lake.
They had searched for them all night. In vain. Lending experience to the provincial commander of the Carabinieri of Brescia, Colonel Carmine Adinolfi: “During the summer, we receive at least 4 or 5 rescue requests daily.” From engine failures to “capsizing”. Like last weekend: “The two sailors were lucky because they were wearing life jackets” — he continues. Every summer, we face an invasion of one million tourists.
Not everyone going out to sea is prepared for an emergency. Many, for example, panic and jump into the water to swim to the shore: “A very serious mistake” – explain experts. “You risk being carried out to open water. Better to stay on the boat.” The lake is too large (370 square kilometers) and too long (51 kilometers) to provide complete coverage, even though there are as many as seven patrol boats.
“Quand el sofia da Bresa, al fa pora.” Because the wind brings storms, explains Bruno Cavallaro, fisherman from Salò, 77 years old with 65 years offshore. But few, very few, have his experience: “I have seen many who risked their lives on Garda.” It took a tragedy—the death of the three Scots—for a coast guard boat to be deployed on the lake, which now operates 24 hours a day.
“However, all this effort is little if Prudence and common sense are missing.” Words of Bruno, the fisherman.