Tilman Fertitta docks Boardwalk yacht in Livorno for diplomacy tour

Tilman Fertitta, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, docked his 117-meter mega yacht, Boardwalk, in Livorno as part of the ‘Freedom 250 Coastal Diplomacy Italy Tour’. The tour aims to celebrate the historical ties between Italy and the United States ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

The visit drew mixed reactions from local leadership. Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region, accepted the invitation to attend a reception on board. Conversely, the Mayor of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, declined the invitation. Salvetti stated that institutional meetings should take place in public municipal spaces rather than on a super yacht. He also noted that, given current international tensions and conflicts, he believed a convivial reception on a yacht lacked the necessary sobriety.

Fertitta described the coastal diplomacy tour as a major success, noting the value of meeting local leaders and entrepreneurs in various Italian towns and villages to strengthen bilateral relations.