That Venice is in peril is indisputable. That it is ultimately saveable is up for discussion.
Now, one company thinks they can make a difference to the floating, sinking city – with “flying” boats.
Swedish company Candela thinks that its electric boats can help fight “moto ondoso” – the damaging phenomenon of waves bashing against the buildings and sidewalks from the wakes of boats being driven around the city.
Moto ondoso has been tipped by UNESCO as a “macro emergency” facing the fragile lagoon city. The organization says there is a need to “drastically reduce the effects produced by motor boats.”
Candela’s boats aim to do that. The Candela C-8 and P-8 Voyager are the first no-wake, high-speed foiling daycruisers. And while the C-8 is a classic boat, the P-8 Voyager has been designed to be able to take passengers – as a taxi or a shuttle boat, sparking thoughts that it could be adopted on a larger level around the city.
The boats rise up on hydrofoils to glide over water. – Candela
Designed by aviation and drone engineers, the boats produce a wake of just 5 centimeters (2 inches) when “flying” at 30 knots – roughly the same amount as a hand-paddled gondola, and unlikely to bash the city’s foundations with waves.
Meanwhile, the larger 30-seater P-12, which was announced in June 2022, promises to be the first “flying” ferry – with a range of 60 nautical miles and speeds up to 60 kph (37 mph), which the manufacturers say could beat rush hour traffic on routes with an alternative on wheels.
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