Gargnano Restores Carabinieri Patrol Boat After Six Years

The event is historic. After six years, the Carabinieri station of Gargnano has regained its patrol boat. Over the years, there have been hundreds of rescue interventions in the middle and upper parts of the lake.

Gargnano is indeed strategically important, being able to reach, within a few minutes of navigation, Maderno, Limone, and Campione, towns with thousands of tourists, sailors, and surfers. Not surprisingly, for the past couple of years, only in summer, the Coast Guard speedboat has been stationed in Bogliaco, ready to set sail in case of need.

Transfer and Return of the Patrol Boat

Six years ago — during a period of public spending cuts within the Arma — the Gargnano patrol boat was transferred to Lake Como. This decision sparked criticism and protests.

Despite requests linked to intervention needs, it took six years to have a new patrol boat in the middle and upper Garda, to coordinate with crews from Salò and Riva, as well as those from the Veronese shore.

Importance of the Patrol Boat and the Limone Tragedy

The importance of having the Carabinieri patrol boat in Gargnano — the station has only six men — was emphasized three years ago, on August 13, when three Scottish tourists drowned between Limone and Desenzano.

Richard John Harrys, 50 years old, with his children Luke, 7, and Timothy, 13, whose bodies were never recovered. They had set off from Limone on a motorboat accompanied by John Lilley, 44, and his children Andrew, 15, and Alison, 13, all from Aberdeen, Scotland, when a violent storm caught them unprepared, leaving no escape.

Launching of the Patrol Boat and the Crew Onboard

Today afternoon, the patrol boat was launched. Aboard were two experienced Carabinieri: the selected corporal Paolo Tuccio and Corporal Efisio Asseni, both with many hours of sailing behind them and extensive experience.

The patrol boat will operate on Garda Lake even during winter.