The little harbour of Scilla, Calabria, southern Italy, with two characteristic swordfishing boats (passarelle or spadara) moored to the quayside

---

The "passarella" fishing boats are really sophisticated hunting machines. At the centre of the boat there is a large metal frame or tower, usually about 30 metres high, with an iron cage at the top. The spotter in these boats has two roles: he both sights the fish and pilots the boat, making the chase much more accurate and effective. Extending 45 metres out from the front of the boat is another long, light iron bridge, known as the passarella; here, the harpooner takes his position. Because he is able to position himself directly above the fish, it is much easier than it used to be for him to aim the harpoon accurately – also, because the passarella extends so far from the boat, the fish does not hear the motor and is caught unawares.

---

Size: 5120px × 3413px
Location: Scilla, Calabria, Italy
Photo credit: © will Perrett / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: boats, calabria, castello, castle, chianalea, costa, di, felucca, fishing, format, harbour, horizontal, italy, landscape, mediterranean, messina, passarella, passarelle, perrett, photography, reggio, ruffo, scilla, sea, spadara, straits, swordfishing, tyrrhenian, viola