Albenga. On Saturday, July 6, the first stations of an underwater archaeological and biological trail around Gallinara Island opened to divers with physical disabilities and blind divers. The route includes Braille plaques, reproductions of amphorae from a sunken Roman ship on the island's seabed, and models of local marine life.
Launched as part of the eleventh edition of Albenga's "Great Festival of Diving—No One Left Behind," this ambitious and innovative project was created by HSA Italia in partnership with Ingaunia Aqua Diving Albenga, combat divers and naval assault personnel from Comsubin—the Italian Navy—NATO, the Coast Guard, and the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Genoa. The project received support from HSA diving centers, local associations, and the Municipality of Albenga under its OSO–Every Sport Beyond initiative.
"Eleven years ago, we held the first great diving festival here in Albenga," recalls Stefano Torti, HSA Course Director, "working with Gianfranco Lenti of Ingaunia Aqua Diving, who leads HSA training in Liguria and runs the Centro Subacqueo Idea Blu, along with Leonardo Quochi, Renato Ruffino, and the whole team coordinating the event. This year, we've taken it much further: we've placed the first modular underwater archaeological trail designed specifically for divers with physical disabilities. It's innovative too in its Braille communication system for blind divers."
Torti continues: "At Albenga, we brought together a remarkable group. The Italian Navy and its combat divers came with vessels from Comsubin to handle the underwater work. Fabio Moreo of Ondasub Torino designed the Braille plaques. The Mayor of Albenga, Riccardo Tomatis, was present, along with representatives from the Harbor Master's Office, NADD Global Diving Agency, NATO, and the Superintendency for Liguria. Many friends from dive centers across the region contributed their expertise to create a project of real quality. It's part of HSA Italia's larger initiative, 'The Sea, A Smile for Everyone,' supported by Fondazione Vodafone Italia, represented by Sabrina Casalta, who dove with our instructors and disabled divers."
The trail around Gallinara Island offers an equipped and accessible underwater route at an archaeologically significant site, built in progressive modules. Blind divers can explore the underwater world safely using specially designed Braille tables created by HSA Italia. These plaques describe the ancient amphorae, local flora, and fauna encountered during the dive—an innovation that lets divers experience the intensity of breathing and "seeing" the sea through touch.
The stations are positioned on the stunning seabed around Gallinara Island in the bay where the Christ of the Abyss statue stands. Years ago, HSA Italia placed a brass Braille plaque there that translated the original plaque, explaining the submerged artwork to blind visitors.
Source: IVG