By Tom Cesarini
Convivio, collaborating with the Italian Consulate in Los Angeles and Suzuki Marine, has planned a “hero’s” welcome for Captain Sergio Davì when he arrives to the United States late next week. Capt. Davì has traveled 10,000 miles from Palermo, Sicily, to San Diego in a 10-meter rigid inflatable boat (RIB), often alone, battling winds and waves, an 1,800-mile solo open-ocean crossing, pirate-infested coastal waters, a bout with Covid and numerous challenges along the way.
Capt. Davì’s first stop will be in San Diego en route to his final destination in San Pedro, CA. Utilizing its extensive relationships in San Diego County, Convivio has planned a cornucopia of activities including a media event, numerous visits to locations in and around the city and Little Italy, dinners, a reception at Amici House and also has arranged for his accommodations while in town.
While Capt. Davì’s exact day and time of arrival is not yet finalized due to unpredictable weather conditions, Convivio expects to greet him as he enters U.S. waters and escort him to United States Customs and Border Patrol on Shelter Island. He will then be escorted to a boat slip close to Little Italy where he will be greeted by a throng of fans and supporters to recognize his tremendous achievement. Convivio also expects key members of the San Diego Italian community, local dignitaries, and members of the media to be in attendance. The general public is welcome and is also being encouraged to attend.
In addition to satisfying an insatiable need for adventure and a compelling drive to push himself and his equipment to the limit, Capt. Davì, who has been making similar voyages for years, uses these journeys to educate people in many countries about important challenges facing our planet’s oceans. He takes water samples and conducts studies along the route, accessing remote areas not usually visited by biologists. His scientific partners on this journey include the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Piedmont, Liguria and Valle d’Aosta based in Turin, Italy, and the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily, based in Palermo.
