Sirmione Boat Mooring Delay Sparks Local Discontent

Owners of boats (around 700 in total) who have submitted applications to the municipality to obtain mooring spots in the city’s ports will have to wait until the end of the month. In fact, the administrative oversight body has rejected a portion of the regulation for the allocation of boat spaces twice, where the regulation included the so-called right of precedence—a clause that favored the existing boat owner in case of equal conditions.

Paradoxically, this clause has been deemed legitimate in the regulation of the municipality of Sirmione, which has already proceeded to apply it and assign the available buoys in their ports. An additional delay is worsening tensions, considering that more than three years have passed without allocation competitions.

Moreover, it is worth noting that, out of the 429 available spots (53 at the Old Port, 304 in the dock-pontili area in Desenzano, 34 at the Zattera, and 38 at Rivoltella), nearly three hundred more applications for assignment have been received. A quota reserved for residents will of course be established.

Requirements and Assignments

“Unfortunately, Oreco does not recognize, in the case of a draw, the right of pre-emption for those who already have an assignment,” explains General Services Councillor Giovanni Venieri. “Therefore, we will have to adapt by giving priority solely based on the submission date of the application.

The 30 percent of spots reserved for residents is the maximum quota allowed by law, so I see no reason to complain about this decision. The real issue is that we have too few boat slips relative to the requests.”

Indeed, especially at the new port of Desenzano, many boats from outside the area are moored, particularly from nearby towns, but also from Mantova and Milan.

The commission responsible for assigning the moorings is composed of the commander of the municipal police, the head of general services, the surveyor who prepared the plan, and the municipal secretary.

Based on an initial assessment of the timely applications received, almost all residents should get their mooring. Over 250 boat enthusiasts will remain stranded.