The boys of the penal area of ​​Naples recover pipes from the seabed

The youths from the Naples penal ward, aboard a vessel seized by the Guardia di Finanza from smugglers in Sicily, took part in an environmental protection operation by diving into the sea and recovering sewer pipes that had been discarded on the seabed.

The vessel 'Marenostrum Dike' (named after the goddess of Justice in Greek mythology) was granted to the Archeoclub d'Italia for safekeeping. The dive took place in the waterfront of Castel dell'Ovo.

The Italian Navy, the Military Corps of the Order of Malta, and the Civil Protection Department were also on site. While some of the young people (who had become divers, true environmental sentinels) dived with the help of instructors, others participated in activities held at the gazebo on the Naples waterfront, explaining to passersby what Marenostrum Dike was and launching an awareness campaign.

Meanwhile, Archeoclub volunteers have also been carrying out cleanup and environmental protection activities on land. Today was the first outing, under the new "mission" of the motor sailer. Archaeologists will also board the boat to talk to the kids about marine archaeological heritage, and teachers will give talks on legality, particularly on the figures of Paolo Borsellino and Giovanni Falcone, as well as promoting cultural activities.

Rosario Santanastasio, national president of Archeoclub d'Italia, emphasizes that "two great stories will come together. On the one hand, that boat, which once carried up to 100 migrants at a time, will have a new life, and on the other, the hope of the young people of the Prenale area of ​​Campania will be affirmed, as they begin a new life for themselves, made of knowledge and volunteering."

"We must invest in young people and give them a chance, starting with the local resources. Naples has the great resource of its beautiful sea," said Nicola Palmiero, director of the Campania Juvenile Justice Center, "and we must start from that beauty to try to rehabilitate these young people."

"The Italian Navy operates throughout the country to support all activities that combine inclusion, ecology, and social issues. In Naples, today we monitored the recovery of material that was polluting a marine protected area," said Aniello Cuciniello, Captain of the Italian Navy, "and we are following the project to integrate young people from the Penal Area into civil society."

"The protection of natural resources is also an important aspect of civil protection. We have many associations specialized in many emergencies. With Archeoclub D'Italia," said Claudia Campobasso, head of the Campania Region's Multi-Risk Civil Protection Functional Center, "we were very happy to join this initiative to test out aspects of civil protection that we intend to strengthen."

"The sea is our greatest educator. We're expanding the educational offerings for the youth of the Naples Penal Area with the arrival of Marenostrum Dike, assigned by the Ragusa Court. We thought the youth could also be part of the crew. They will learn about the archaeological heritage of Campania," said Francesca Esposito, Social Activities Manager for Marenostrum, the marine organization of Archeoclub D'Italia, "of the region where they were born, raised, and live."

"The support was crucial," said Commander Mariano Barbi of the Order of Malta's Military Corps, "including first aid training." The operations saw the active participation of the City of Naples. "I thank Archeoclub D'Italia for its commitment to protecting the sea and, in this specific case, to the rescue of these young men," said Enza Amato, President of the Naples City Council, "to whom it sends a concrete message of participation in legal action.

Therefore, it is accompanied by a project to recover a confiscated property, now also used for the protection of the sea, that of knowledge of the cultural and naturalistic heritage". The location of the preparatory operations was the headquarters of the Circolo Nautico Savoia, a historic club in the city of Naples.

"The club, like ours with its 130-year history, must exist for and with the city. If the city has a need, we participate. The Bust Busters project for training young people from the Naples Penal Area," said Fabrizio Cattaneo, President of the Circolo Savoia, "started right at the Circolo Savoia headquarters with theory and first dives. The Circolo Savoia also offers rowing courses, including for people with disabilities, and we run sailing courses, a sport open to all. Sailing and the sea are the resources we can focus on." 

diving-boys-penal-area