The sea is turning pink once again as Nuova Jolly Marine brings back an initiative that seamlessly blends boating, prevention, and social commitment. Following the massive success of the 2022 and 2024 editions, the company is once again launching this impactful project. We’re talking about “Mediterraneo in Rosa” (Mediterranean in Pink), an all-female charity nautical raid. The mission is to raise funds for the “Lorenzo Perrone” Association supporting their free services for cancer patients while promoting health through prevention and awareness initiatives. Above all, it aims to deliver a powerful message of strength and resilience to all women facing oncological diseases. For this year’s edition, the raid will cover a route of over 1,200 nautical miles aboard an NJ 850 XL.
Mediterraneo in Rosa: Nuova Jolly Stands with the Lorenzo Perrone Association
Founded by Riccardo Perrone and Rosalba Tanda—the parents of Lorenzo Perrone, who passed away at just 17 from a serious oncological illness—the Association has for years provided a free counseling center and psychological support for cancer patients. This mission is furthered by the “Cuore Rosa” (Pink Heart) project, which provides a free medical transportation service for all women needing to attend oncology appointments or treatments.
A close friend of the Perrone family, Antonio Aiello of Nuova Jolly Marine—a leader in the boating industry for over 50 years—has been organizing and promoting “Mediterraneo in Rosa” with great enthusiasm and determination since 2022. His goal is to spread a powerful message of solidarity to all women who find themselves living with and fighting against the disease.
Past Achievements and This Year’s Ambitions
In previous years, “Mediterraneo in Rosa” has already achieved significant milestones, involving hundreds of women in prevention activities and building an ever-expanding collaborative network. Specifically, the 2022 edition—which departed from Amantea and concluded at the Genoa Boat Show aboard a Prince 22—raised 15,000 euros. That figure quickly multiplied, reaching an impressive 46,500 euros two years later during a raid that traveled from Catania to Genoa aboard a Prince 24. These funds paved the way for new projects like “Donne allo specchio” (Women in the Mirror), which launched two free makeup and hair styling courses for women undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
This year’s edition is raising the bar even higher, aiming for an even more significant fundraising total while promoting free prevention campaigns across several Italian cities.
What will be the route for “Mediterraneo in Rosa 2026”?
The route for “Mediterraneo in Rosa 2026” is shaping up to be the most beautiful and exciting one yet. It kicks off on May 31st in Pavia with a major highlight: participating in the famous Pavia-Venice race alongside the Team Follia crew. From there, the journey continues along the Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian coasts, leading up to the traditional grand finale at the Genoa Boat Show, where the raid will be celebrated at the Teatro del Mare.
More than 1,200 nautical miles of courage, prevention, and solidarity will unfold across the following legs:
Chioggia – Rimini
Rimini – Porto Recanati
Porto Recanati – Termoli
Termoli – Margherita di Savoia
Margherita di Savoia – Brindisi
Brindisi – Tricase Porto
Tricase Porto – Crotone
After a stop in the port of Crotone, the raid will head toward the Tyrrhenian coast:
Crotone – Villa S. Giovanni
Villa S. Giovanni – Amantea
Amantea – Naples
Naples – Latina
Latina – Ostia
Ostia – Piombino
Piombino – La Spezia
La Spezia – Varazze (early September)
Official sponsors for the event include Honda Marine—which provided the BF 350 outboard motor for the NJ 850 XL—Hertz Marine, Quick Group for onboard electronics, Osculati for accessories and equipment, and Nuncas Marine for cleaning solutions. Additionally, the IDI Institute and Sapienza University of Rome have generously made their hospital facilities available for diagnostic and treatment activities.
The Boat Chosen for the Raid: The NJ 850 XL
Following the Prince 22 used in the first edition and the Prince 24 in the second, Nuova Jolly Marine has chosen to provide the largest model in its fleet for “Mediterraneo in Rosa 2026”: the NJ 850 XL. As mentioned above, it will be equipped with a 350-horsepower Honda BF350 engine. This decision was driven by the need to provide the crews with a vessel that is both safe and, more importantly, exceptionally comfortable, given the particularly demanding route scheduled for this year.
Each leg of the journey will feature a 10-woman crew on board—including expert sailors and winners of various major nautical competitions—for a total of 60 participants.
Conclusions
“Mediterraneo in Rosa” is more than just a nautical raid; it is a journey filled with meaning that brings together the sea, solidarity, and awareness. Edition after edition, the initiative demonstrates how boating can become a powerful tool for raising awareness and providing concrete support, engaging more people and generating a real impact. With an even more ambitious route and increasingly significant goals, 2026 is set to be a vital new chapter in this extraordinary all-female project.
