Riva Port Regulations Evolve as Management and Mooring Fees Are Discussed

Until now, the Rocca channel has been a no-man’s land, in the sense that during the state ownership period, the moorings were essentially free, and they have remained so even after the province, having inherited the waterway around the Rocca, and eager to assert its newfound sovereignty, attempted to introduce a regulation by imposing a fee.

All boat owners have carefully avoided paying even a single lira, awaiting a legislative clarification, which has only recently arrived with the transfer of the channel to the municipality of Riva and from there to Lido spa.

New Regulations and Port Management

Currently, the regulations committee, presided over by Enzo Bassetti, is working to draft a new regulation, and possibly to amend the existing one at San Nicolò, given that compared to the prices charged at other ports on Lake Garda, the Riva ones are quite low.

But the regulation will not only address mooring costs: it will also define rights and responsibilities, who can dock, according to which priorities, and under what conditions.

In recent months, the number of oar-powered boats tied to the rings has increased significantly: a sign that many boat owners have secured a mooring, trying to establish a right they can enforce when – presumptively from January 2001 – that stretch of shoreline will also be regulated.

In fact, they could do so: just by throwing down a buoy and attaching to one of the existing rings.

Regarding the management issue, the games are still open. The president of Lido di Riva, architect Mauro Malfer, stated that the company has no interest whatsoever in managing San Nicolò port or the Rocca channel.

The reasons are numerous, including the fact that Lido di Riva is increasingly taking on the characteristics of a joint-stock company, delegating operational aspects to other entities: as evidenced by the assignment of the Lido Hotel, gelateria, and Brione campsite to Gts.

Furthermore, the economic return for the company that would hire and pay specialized staff is not at all profitable.

Therefore, Lido di Riva is willing to sublease or otherwise transfer management, provided that the municipal administration does not issue a «directive» to the contrary (through, precisely, the regulation currently under study).

Thus, at least regarding the channel, the possibility is emerging to assign its management to the Amici della Tirlindana, who have expressed interest and could rely, for daily minor operations, on a significant volunteer contribution from members (also interested in keeping mooring costs as low as possible).

Moreover, the management assignment will not occur before the city council has approved the new regulation, which will be binding for everyone.

The Fraglia della Vela also has an interest in using the eastern branch of the channel, toward the Olivi beach, as a port during particularly crowded regattas.

In this case too, there is maximum willingness to reach an agreement: the only issue to be resolved is that of motoryachts, which obviously cannot coexist with a crowd of sailing boats.

There is no evidence that a dredging operation of the channel’s seabed has been considered.