Castore is reborn in the Gulf of Naples: a symbol of social inclusion and youth redemption.

May 28, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the social and educational landscape of Campania: the launch of the Castore, a historic wooden vessel once owned by the Italian Navy, restored thanks to the "I mestieri del mare" (Sea Professions) project. This initiative, which involved the Italian Navy, the Campania Juvenile Justice Department, the Municipality of Naples, the Port Authority, and the Campania Region, aims to promote the social and occupational inclusion of young people at risk of marginalization through the revival of ancient nautical traditions.

Built in 1985, the Castore is a nine-and-a-half-meter vessel that has won the "Tre Golfi " regatta three times with a Navy crew. Today, after a demanding restoration carried out by young people from the penal sector and social services, she is back at sea to support social projects like "Scugnizzi a vela," which promotes integration and on-the-job training in a unique learning environment.

For twenty years, the Life Scugnizzi a Vela association has been running this training workshop, which combines craftsmanship, history, and maritime culture, offering young people the opportunity to acquire professional shipyard skills and develop new self-esteem. The restoration of Castore is not just a technical intervention, but a true "Schoolyard" where young people from disadvantaged backgrounds have been able to learn ancient trades, supported by professionals and volunteers.

The project is part of a long tradition of social commitment that began over a century ago with the Caracciolo asylum ship, which transformed many street urchins into sailors. Today, thanks also to the support of organizations like the Fondazione con il Sud, five young people have been placed in the shipbuilding sector of the Port of Naples, demonstrating that training and inclusion can open concrete paths.

The launch ceremony was attended by high-profile institutional representatives, including Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro, the President of the Campania Region, Roberto Fico, and the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, who emphasized how the sea can become an opportunity for growth and redemption for young people.

Admiral Montanaro emphasized how Castore represents a symbol of hope and education, while Roberto Fico celebrated the project as a successful laboratory for job and social inclusion. Mayor Manfredi reiterated the importance of sports and social inclusion as levers for the growth of new generations.

Scugnizzi a Vela President Stefano Lanfranco announced ambitious new projects to expand the educational and recreational offerings for young people, while Councilor Chiara Marciani emphasized the fundamental role that educational work and institutional networks play in changing young people's lives.

Finally, Eliseo Cuccaro, president of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea Port System Authority, expressed his hope that this model will become a benchmark for the revitalization of the region, offering new professional opportunities to young Neapolitans.

Castore's return to sailing in the Gulf of Naples is therefore much more than a simple nautical event: it is the concrete testimony of a journey of solidarity, education, and hope that involves institutions, volunteers, and young people, transforming the seafaring tradition into a powerful tool for social inclusion.