Bracco donates the historic sailing boat ‘Beatrice’ to the Municipality of Imperia: it will be a training ship

Launched in 1963 by the Sangermani di Lavagna shipyard, one of the most famous shipbuilding companies specializing in the construction of wooden hulls, the historic sailing boat “Beatrice” was donated to the Municipality of Imperia. The official ceremony was held today in the square of the Naval Museum of the Ligurian city, which was followed by the raising of the flag at the Lungomare Marinai d’Italia-Molo San Lazzaro in the presence of the mayor of the city Claudio Scajola and Diana Bracco, president of the Bracco Group and last owner of the boat. In 1999, in fact, Roberto De Silva, husband of Diana Bracco, had taken over it from Giorgio Rondolino, the third owner of the vessel after Antonietta Tiozzo and Mario Rondolino. Second life dedicated to teaching for the ‘Beatrice’ sailing boat: donated by the Bracco Group to the Municipality of Imperia (PHOTOGALLERY) “When they asked me what to do with the boat, of which my husband Roberto appreciated the lines and the way he kept the sea – said Diana Bracco – I enthusiastically welcomed the proposal to donate the Beatrice to the Municipality of Imperia so that the Nautical Institute could use it as a training ship, for the practical exercises of the boys after having restored it. I liked the idea of ​​giving Beatrice this second life in the name of teaching and beautiful school-work projects, in which I really believe. “” I welcome with pleasure and emotion this initiative linked to the sea and vintage boating – commented the mayor of Imperia Claudio Scajola – two elements that have always had a special place in the hearts of the people of Imperia. I am pleased that the quay of our city can accommodate this splendid wood, reborn with the careful work of the young and talented students of the Nautical of Imperia ”. “The presence of Beatrice and a little further on from the Naval Museum – added Scajola – allows us to face the challenges of tomorrow with the awareness of being able to enhance everything beautiful and important that has been done in the past”. After a complete restoration in 2010, between 2012, with the death of Roberto De Silva, and 2016, the boat remained unused. It was in that year that Giancarlo Gaudino, Beatrice’s commander, suggested to Diana Bracco to donate it to Imperia. So Professor Luca Bonjean, teacher of the “Nautical”, is contacted, who marries and promotes the initiative. Beatrice leaves Lavagna and at the Imperia Yacht Service begins a refitting operation that involves the boys of the “Andrea Doria” Nautical Technical Institute, their families and the entire city, also becoming a matter of the heart. Volunteers of every qualification and every experience, young and old, fathers, mothers, even grandmothers, contribute to the rebirth of Beatrice, who is now ready to return to the sea. On the occasion of the ceremony, the volume “Beatrice. The important thing is to go to sea ”, with texts by Fabio Pozzo and photographs by Carlo Borlenghi. Inside there are also copies of the original drawings, the history of the boat and the testimonies of those who lived and brought it back to life. The historic sailing boat “Beatrice”, donated to the Municipality of Imperia by the entrepreneur Diana Bracco, will participate in the 22nd edition of “The Vintage Sails of Imperia”, the most traditional Italian gathering of vintage sails born in 1986 and become a fundamental appointment of the classic regattas in the Mediterranean. After the 2020 stop due to the pandemic, the competition returns to the Imperia waters from 2 to 5 September 2021. The participation of the historic boat of 1963 was announced by the mayor of Imperia Claudio Scajola, during the ceremony of the donation of the boat. ”Has already participated in“ Le Vele d’Epoca di Imperia ”, in the editions of 2000 and 2002, as well as in one of the stages of the Prada Challenge for Classic Yachts, before the circuit took on the name Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge in 2005. “Diana Bracco did not do well: she did very well in reviving the Beatrice and donating it to Imperia”. Cino Ricci, the skipper of Azzurra, promotes the Diana De Silva Bracco initiative, leader of the pharmaceutical group of the same name specializing in diagnostic imaging, with full marks, through the Bracco Foundation. “Just think that all the navies in the world – Ricci says to the Adnkronos – form their future officers on sailing ships, ours is the Amerigo Vespucci: those are the boats suitable for understanding what the sea is and what the wind. Maybe there were entrepreneurs like that, who bring those old ladies back to life: and then the kids will surely get excited, other than the acrobatic means: those who want to go sailing must learn about those wonders “.” There have already been initiatives similar and have always been very important. Diana Bracco did well, these donations are welcome, but they are not closed by the object itself, but rather create a school, a way to learn to navigate and live the sea properly “, said Mauro Pelaschier , helmsman of Azzurra, at the Adnkronos.