Operations have begun to remove the wreck of the sailboat that has been stranded on the shoreline at the first stop at Poetto since last March. Behind that hull lies the story of the Argentine sailor who lived aboard with his family and now hopes to start over.
Following approval from the Sardinia Region's Directorate General for Local Authorities and Finance, construction workers have begun work to clear the beach and secure the area. This months-awaited project marks the end of the twelve-meter-long vessel, flying the Polish flag, which has now become a familiar sight for Cagliari residents and tourists alike.
But behind that hull, bent by the sea and the salt, lies much more than a wreck. There's the story of Matias, 44, from Argentina, who had lived on board for years with his family and pets. That boat wasn't just the vessel he'd used to cross half the world: it was their home.
The nightmare began on the night between March 5th and 6th. A few days earlier, a dinghy had struck the bow of the vessel, opening a hole about a meter deep before drifting away. While waiting for a permanent repair and insurance coverage, Matias had carried out a temporary intervention. But the bad weather left him no escape. Waves swept over the hull, the lines snapped, and the boat was dragged to shore, where it ran aground, filling with water and sand.
The removal now represents the first step toward a possible restart. The operation will allow the wreck to be relocated and its condition to be definitively assessed, although the cost of repairs appears extremely high. So much so, Matias himself admits, that it might be more cost-effective to purchase another vessel. "We are travelers, but now it's as if we were displaced," he said. Today, as the wreck finally leaves Poetto beach, there remains hope that it can begin its journey to a new home.
(Unioneonline/D)