About us
THE HISTORY OF MARINA CARMELO
1960s
The story behind Marina Carmelo can truly be described as pioneering.
Ranieri Carmelo, a native of Vibo Marina, developed a deep passion for the sea from a young age, turning it into one of the driving forces of his life.
As a teenager, he embarked on voyages around the world aboard various ships, gaining invaluable experience and cultivating a vision. Upon returning to his hometown in the early 1960s, he brought that vision to life—establishing what would, through dedication and perseverance, become a cornerstone of Vibo Marina’s nautical identity: the Pontile da Carmelo, known today as Marina Carmelo – Vibo Yacht Assistance.
1960s - 1990s
Over the years, Carmelo Ranieri was joined by his son, Franco Ranieri, who had previously served as captain aboard several private yachts. Franco later dedicated himself fully to managing the wharf, playing a pivotal role in the growth and evolution of the family business.
Despite being located in an area that, at the time, lacked a strong tourism identity, the wharf steadily expanded. The quality of services offered improved year after year, establishing Marina Carmelo as an ideal base for large vessel mooring. At the same time, a series of specialized shipyard and technical support services were introduced—quickly earning the trust of yacht owners, many of whom began relocating their boats to the port of Vibo Marina.
As a true ambassador for the region, Marina Carmelo has actively promoted the local area by hosting various events aimed at bringing more people into the world of yachting. Among the most notable are sailing regattas, which over the years have attracted both local and international participants—fostering community spirit and enhancing the cultural and economic value of the province as a whole.
1990s
In the 1990s, Marina Carmelo and Franco Ranieri established Mar’Incontro, the first nautical charter company based in Vibo Marina. Around the same time, they launched the area’s first sailing courses—some designed specifically for children. The experience proved to be so inspiring that many young participants chose to pursue careers in the maritime world. Today, several of them are accomplished yacht captains, renowned designers for Italian and international shipyards, or active professionals within the leisure boating industry.
During this period, Marina Carmelo and Mar’Incontro were entrusted by the Italian Powerboat Federation with organizing races for various classes of the Italian Offshore and Endurance Championships. To help extend the local tourist season, the events were strategically scheduled during the shoulder months, generating significant activity for local restaurants, hotels, and businesses, which benefited from the arrival of hundreds of visitors during what would otherwise have been a quiet time of year.
Through effective media coverage and the attendance of high-profile figures from the worlds of sport, entertainment, and finance, Vibo Marina began to gain international recognition—emerging as a vibrant destination within the Mediterranean nautical scene
1995
In 1995, Marina Carmelo made a mark on the competitive boating world by participating in the Italian Endurance Championship. After impressive performances in Naples, San Felice Circeo, Cala Galera, and Viareggio, the team from Vibo Marina—captained by Franco Ranieri, now the manager of Marina Carmelo—was crowned Italian Champion.
That same year, the team also triumphed in the prestigious Viareggio-Bastia-Viareggio offshore race, widely known as the Classic of the Seas. Their outstanding performance earned them high honors, including awards from the Italian Senate and the President of the Republic.
Building on their success, the Marina Carmelo team entered the legendary Venice–Monte Carlo race—often dubbed the Paris-Dakar of the Sea. Over nine grueling days navigating the Italian coastline from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian Sea, crews and vessels were pushed to their limits. Yet upon arrival in the Principality of Monaco, the Marina Carmelo team claimed a remarkable second-place finish, solidifying their status among the elite in endurance powerboating
The Marina Carmelo TODAY
Marina Carmelo is a well-established name in the nautical industry, a 100% family-owned and operated business now in its third generation, proudly led by Francesco Maria Carmelo Ranieri, a RINA-certified Marina Manager.
The marina features a facility with approximately 200 berths, accommodating yachts up to 90 meters in length and 10 meters in draft, making it capable of hosting even large sailing superyachts with deep drafts.
Thanks to its extensive expertise in the industry, Marina Carmelo serves as a service hub for both Italian and international component manufacturers and shipyards, including being Ferretti Group authorized service point. This strategic role ensures yachts passing through the lower Tyrrhenian Sea can access comprehensive assistance.
In response to the ongoing need for professional and technical development in the sector, Marina Carmelo actively participates in numerous refresher courses and training sessions at major shipyards throughout the year, further enhancing its team’s expertise.
Moreover, Marina Carmelo is proud to have a team of highly skilled and specialized technicians, available to offer expert support to vessels visiting and staying at our marina.
We have also established several agreements with material suppliers, which significantly reduce waiting times, ensuring our guests can fully enjoy their vacations without delays. Additionally, Marina Carmelo is equipped with a spacious materials storage warehouse, enabling us to provide fast and effective assistance whenever needed.
Thanks to the high-quality standards we’ve achieved over years of experience, we are proud to collaborate not only with leading international shipyards but also with major agencies, with whom we’ve built lasting relationships based on mutual trust.
Since 2025, Marina Carmelo has officially been recognized as a Marina Resort under Regional Law No. 26 of August 4, 2022.
Marina Carmelo also offers technical and logistical support for organizing events in the city and surrounding areas. Among these are several initiatives organized or promoted by our company, especially those related to boating and the sea, aimed at raising awareness among our community about environmental preservation and the importance of protecting our precious marine resources.
Each year, Marina Carmelo hosts secondary and non-secondary school students for school-work programs, fostering a passion for boating and providing hands-on training to create skilled professionals. We hope that, just as we have done for generations, they will embrace this passion and turn it into their own future career.
