Barcavelox, the experimentation along the canals begins

For Venice it is an absolute novelty, after years of debate related to the wave motion, but also to the accidents that, although rare, happen in the canals and in the lagoon. The high speed of the boats puts at risk, in addition to safety, the protection of "the delicate lagoon ecosystem".

The experimental phase was launched on June 1st and will last two months. Many steps are necessary: ​​in the first days of May, at the Polo Nautico di San Giuliano, the States General of the City on water mobility and wave motion. A meeting called and desired by the mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro, attended by representatives of over 90 authorities and law enforcement agencies, bodies, institutions and all the trade and sports associations, operators, concessionaires involved in the lagoon area. The councilors of the City Council and the delegated councilors were present, as well as the prefect Darco Pellos and the president of the Lagoon Authority, Roberto Rossetto.

Then, on May 8, the City Council unanimously approved the resolution that configures the update of the Regulations for water circulation in the Municipality of Venice and configures the introduction, in derogation, of automatic systems for controlling the speed of vessels.

"It is necessary that all parties, directly or indirectly involved, understand the historical moment that the city is experiencing" said Mayor Brugnaro announcing the conference of services on May 22 and the start of the subsequent experimentation - This meeting is the beginning of a difficult and complicated experimental path, the results will not be immediate, but the goal is to be able to find a mediation between the legitimate interests that will be brought to this table and in the coming months. The starting point, today, is the observation that it is necessary to have the courage to find a solution to a problem that no one has ever wanted to face before, to guarantee the due protection of the most sensitive places in the city. We are open to dialogue and to intervene during the work with subsequent corrective measures".

The provision provides that the measurement can also be verified through the use of electronic detection equipment approved by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, on an experimental basis until 13 December 2026, also through the same equipment for which the approval or homologation procedure is underway as provided for by art. 11 of Law 25 November 2024 n. 177, therefore the Si.Sa. system, so-called “Barcavelox”.