Amongst the brilliant white fibre glass hulls snuggle a few old vessels like Antonia. Her wooden hull and canvas canopy with tiny round porthole “eyes”, immediately more human than countless modern boats. The dark eyes of the skull and crossbones pirate flag add to the impression and are also a reminder of the traditional independence of the seas, unlike many a Corsican bandit flag which are so popular in Marseille that they have become another team to belong to, like a football team or fashion brand. perhaps also a reminder of the Barbary coast pirates, whose predations were feared in the long history of Marseille Vieux Port.