Hydrofoil Flying Boat May Be The Technology Venice Needs

JAKARTA - Venice in Italy has long been in danger, as the waves generated by motorboats along its canals, erode the foundations of historic buildings and threaten the city to collapse.

Erosion, a problem known as 'moto ondoso' - is caused by the impact of the propellers of motorboats, water buses and ferries hitting the walls of buildings along the canal.

A new electric boat that flies on water, presented at the Salone boat show in Nautica, might be a solution.

The electric ship made by Swedish company Candela, the Candela C-7, runs on computer-controlled hydrofoils, or underwater wings, which lift the hull into the air and make it appear to be flying above the water. Candela says the technology significantly reduces the breakdown of the ondoso moto.

"The boat has five sensors that read the water and communicate with the computer system on board. Later, the computer system tells the foil to move and they move 100 times per second, back and forth and diagonally to keep the boat steady," said Maria Rohman from Candela as he piloted the C-7 over the Venetian lagoon during a test drive last weekend.

"So when you're flying it takes off at about 15 knots. It's very stable without hitting the waves and you're just sailing," Rohman continued.

Candela said the boat runs silently on battery power using very little energy. So that the resulting wave is less than 5 centimeters, similar to a traditional rowing boat.

Apart from private boats, the company is also working on water taxis and ferries, using the same technology. Candela hopes his hydrofoil will become a regular means of traveling through Venice, reducing pollution and erosion.

"This is an ancient city. We all love Venice and if we can help save it, we must do so," said Rohman.