Recently has been created a new course for the 1st Class cadets of the Livorno Naval Academy. Our students will form a team, a group of military who, during their career will create a strong bond, thanks to the Dunatos course, the motto and the flag.

While sailing from Azores to Spain, the Atlantic Ocean has been the perfect background for the ceremony, including the traditional "scream" of the students who climbed the masts, to make official to the Ocean the beginning of their new course.

Chief-of-Naval-Staff, Vice Admiral Valter Girardelli, learning the news, warmly welcomed the establishment of Dunatos course, whishing the students that "… the winds and the power of the sea be always with you, to win all challenges you will meet along your professional path, for the sake of the Italian Navy, the Defense and our Nation."

Great satisfaction for the goal achieved was expressed by the class' commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Michele Franceschino, who has the honour and the privilege to supervise the overall professional growth of his 125 students, all of them at their first experience at sea and on-board.

"The establishment of this Course highlights the dreams and expectations our students lived throughout the study year. To me, on the other hand, it is an achievement, a goal, and yet, a starting point towards new challenges and goals. The personal reference on the flag of Dunatos Course it means to me that I successfully passed to my students those founding values we all share, with a hue of fondness that bonds us all. Now, the Dunatos are ready to equip the prow and sail towards new horizons."  

ORIGINS OF THE NAME

Dunatos descends from ancient Greek and it literally means mighty-skilled-strong, (intellectually, physically and morally), able of on-going improvement. It derives from "Dunamai" which represents an elite sharing the same ideal, "those who govern with their example," those who hare generous in souls and noble in their hearts, all values that must enliven every Italian Navy officer. In the root "Du" is also a reminder of the ideal of power, founding element of the Greek-Latin culture. 

THE MOTTO

The motto "alii et alii horizontes cui potentiam maris non timet" (new horizons reaches that who does not fear the mighty sea), wants to represent the succession of new challenges that each student must face, just like when they sail the seas, where, as soon as they reach an horizon, a new one comes to sight. In fact, the students, although respecting and showing reverence to the strength of the sea, do not permit fear to inhibit their actions.

THE FLAG

The flag, on a field of green, is hoisted on the mast, and it depicts Neptune's powerful arm grasping the trident, as the symbol of strength and power of the sea, emerging from the Atlantic Ocean. To the right are two columns from an ancient temple, a reminder of the Pillars of Hercules representing the boundaries of human knowledge. There also is a brazier to remember the Statue of Liberty (a feature of the training campaign in the New Continent).

On the top, above the ocean, Cassiopeia constellation shines in the sky facing east, showing the route to ITS Vespucci on her way home, and it is also an homage to the class' commanding officer as a guide and reference figure. Encircling the symbol an oak branch to the left, symbolizing strength, and to the right a laurel branch, representing the Italian Republic, both with a maple leave to remember the Canadian Confederation.

This course can boast before the Atlantic Ocean and the Italian Navy a unique sailing experience and activities performed in the New Continent which together create the preconditions for future professional successes. Once again School-ship Vespucci has trained and formed true to her motto: "Not those who start but those who persevere" new students who found their new identity on the tradition the Italian Navy has been representing since 1931.