Lake Garda Patrol Boat Launch Enhances Provincial Fish and Hunting Police Fleet
The marina of Villa Garuti in Padenghe hosted the launch of a new patrol boat assigned to the Provincial Fish and Hunting Police, coordinated by Giuseppe Lorini. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the President of the Province, Alberto Cavalli, and the Minister of Fishing, Hunting, Sports, and Leisure, Alessandro Sala, were present, alongside numerous presidents and members of clubs affiliated with the Federation of Sport Fishing.
Cavalli highlighted the importance of equipping provincial police forces with a modern vessel capable of responding in just a few minutes. “We have long needed to replace the obsolete pilotina,” said the President of the Province, “and we believe we made a prudent choice because the officers have expressed great satisfaction with the new vessel at their disposal.”
Enthusiastic Alessandro Sala commented: “The decision to select this boat was particularly difficult,” the minister observed. “We needed a reliable and safe vessel because it will operate year-round, under any weather conditions, for a total of about 800 hours of navigation. The new patrol boat can reach every corner of Lake Garda, even those that seem inaccessible at first glance, and we are therefore satisfied with the choice made.”
Technical Features and Performance of the Patrol Boat
This vessel was built by Rio di Villongo and costs 130 million euros. It is powered by a 200 Hp Volvo Penta engine and can reach speeds of 35 knots. It is equipped with sophisticated technology, including a fish finder, radar, GPS (satellite navigator with nautical charts), rescue radios, and VHF radios for maritime rescue; it also features a compass, depth lights, and other electronic devices capable of monitoring activities on the lake at any time, even in adverse weather conditions.
This patrol boat replaces, after 22 years of dedicated service, the “pilotina,” which was obviously less equipped than this new vessel. The patrol will be managed by two teams coordinated by Sector Chief Dario Saleri, who will collaborate with diver Giancarlo Comincioli, along with Francesco Raggi and Romeo Girelli.
The new vessel is already operational and, on its first day of navigation, responded to rescue a German couple stranded in the middle of the lake with their dinghy.
