Life Jackets on Gondolas in Venice?
Feb 21st, 2004, 02:58 AM
#102
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wesley, it's really no big deal. Everyone is entitled to a bad hair day. Holly doesn't really know me so I can see why she may have thought I doubted her word when, in fact, all I wanted was corroboration to Veniceword's report (which I had assumed to be true). This is simply the "reporter" in me and nothing more. I rarely trust only one source for any kind of information.
Thank you, Rex, for sending the Italian article. I read it and it translates as follows:
On November 21, 2003, a traghetto gondola capsized near the dock at San Toma. All 14 passengers, plus two gondolieri fell into the water when the gondola capsized. Two of the passengers were infants and one infant was trapped under the gondola and saved by one of the gondolieri.
The article also mentions the most serious gondola accident occurred on August 2, 1992 near the San Marco basin when a gondola capsized due to a wake wave caused by a motor boat. The gondola overturned and one American tourist died.
My friend in Venice went on to tell me that one of the gondolieri in this recent incident had been drunk and lost his job as a result of this accident and he has been blamed as the cause of the capsizing. The gondola did not exceed its passenger limit and the limit number has not changed. Every passenger received compensation from the insurance company that covers the traghetto business.
Thank you, Rex, for sending the Italian article. I read it and it translates as follows:
On November 21, 2003, a traghetto gondola capsized near the dock at San Toma. All 14 passengers, plus two gondolieri fell into the water when the gondola capsized. Two of the passengers were infants and one infant was trapped under the gondola and saved by one of the gondolieri.
The article also mentions the most serious gondola accident occurred on August 2, 1992 near the San Marco basin when a gondola capsized due to a wake wave caused by a motor boat. The gondola overturned and one American tourist died.
My friend in Venice went on to tell me that one of the gondolieri in this recent incident had been drunk and lost his job as a result of this accident and he has been blamed as the cause of the capsizing. The gondola did not exceed its passenger limit and the limit number has not changed. Every passenger received compensation from the insurance company that covers the traghetto business.
Feb 21st, 2004, 05:31 AM
#103
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Terrific reporting, NYCFS. As far as I'm concerned, you are one of the few class acts on this board. Fodorites should be grateful for the quality information you provide. I know some are, including me.
PS...can't wait to read your Venice diary. I'm chomping at the bit.
PS...can't wait to read your Venice diary. I'm chomping at the bit.
Feb 27th, 2004, 06:42 AM
#105
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Faith and her water fearfull cousin striking again? Why not to make butler to fetch Bambi if she will fall?
Oops, my bad, he may have something falling of his head and he;ll look stupid (or somthing)
Oops, my bad, he may have something falling of his head and he;ll look stupid (or somthing)
Feb 27th, 2004, 10:13 AM
#106
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Where are you Faith? I'm sure others will agree with me, I feel like you have become part of my life, or me part of yours.... mmmmm.... whatever! Anyway I miss reading your plans for your upcoming trip, specially Venice as I will be there soon. Please share more with us 
Feb 27th, 2004, 01:51 PM
#107
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Mischka, on the 24th, in the "Fearful Cousin" message string, Faith said she was "off pursuing happiness with an old flame for the rest of the week" and would be back before she left for her trip. I'm sure we all look forward to further details of her poor cousin, rich Uncle, and dear Orlando the personal retainer/bodyguard. Gives a bit of interest to the postings. Although, personally, I would like to hear more about her cousin's shirtless gardeners.
Feb 27th, 2004, 02:00 PM
#108
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I know I am reading Fodors too much when my friend mentioned a person who is Norweigan and I thought of Faith's gardners - shirtless and holding spears! What an image, I couldn't very well explain it to my friend, I just chuckled to myself.
Ah the joys of being a Fodorite.
Ah the joys of being a Fodorite.
Feb 27th, 2004, 05:58 PM
#111
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Faina, dear, you were away and missed all the fun, but fortunately you have seen the thread and caught up. Now you must also read the "other" Faith threads. It will be interesting to see if Faith returns or was merely a figment of someone's imagination. If she's real, I hope she's having fun!
Aug 27th, 2004, 08:22 AM
#112
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Hi, I've just got back from a 3 day break in Venice, life jackets appear to be non existent. Unfortunately while I was there, an accident occurred. A vaparetto and gondola collided, the family thrown into the Grand Canal with a lot of onlookers,
people jumped in to save the people but a child did die, couldn't have been much more than 18 months old. Been trying to find out where they came from but seems to be no information anywhere. What a tragic way for a holiday in such a perfect place to end.
people jumped in to save the people but a child did die, couldn't have been much more than 18 months old. Been trying to find out where they came from but seems to be no information anywhere. What a tragic way for a holiday in such a perfect place to end.
Aug 27th, 2004, 09:38 AM
#113
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How awful, bevcork. My heart goes out to the family for the loss of their child.
That reminds me of when we were in Cinque Terre in late April, 2002. The day after we hiked the trail south of Vernazza, a woman (apparently) slipped and then fell to her death on the same stretch. Everyone was talking about it that evening and they closed the trail for a few days after it happened.
<i>On November 21, 2003, a traghetto gondola capsized near the dock at San Toma. All 14 passengers, plus two gondolieri fell into the water when the gondola capsized. Two of the passengers were infants and one infant was trapped under the gondola and saved by one of the gondolieri. . . .
My friend in Venice went on to tell me that one of the gondolieri in this recent incident had been drunk and lost his job as a result of this accident and he has been blamed as the cause of the capsizing. The gondola did not exceed its passenger limit and the limit number has not changed. Every passenger received compensation from the insurance company that covers the traghetto business.</i>
Having taken a traghetto three times when we were there (thoroughly enjoying it each time), I'm surprised capsizing doesn't happen more often with so many people standing up.
That reminds me of when we were in Cinque Terre in late April, 2002. The day after we hiked the trail south of Vernazza, a woman (apparently) slipped and then fell to her death on the same stretch. Everyone was talking about it that evening and they closed the trail for a few days after it happened.
<i>On November 21, 2003, a traghetto gondola capsized near the dock at San Toma. All 14 passengers, plus two gondolieri fell into the water when the gondola capsized. Two of the passengers were infants and one infant was trapped under the gondola and saved by one of the gondolieri. . . .
My friend in Venice went on to tell me that one of the gondolieri in this recent incident had been drunk and lost his job as a result of this accident and he has been blamed as the cause of the capsizing. The gondola did not exceed its passenger limit and the limit number has not changed. Every passenger received compensation from the insurance company that covers the traghetto business.</i>
Having taken a traghetto three times when we were there (thoroughly enjoying it each time), I'm surprised capsizing doesn't happen more often with so many people standing up.
Aug 27th, 2004, 12:28 PM
#114
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I found it hard to believe that Venice has no sewage system, as it has always seemed clean when we were there. I looked it up and it is correct that there is no municipal sewage plant, but most residences have a sedimentation tank to eliminate the solids; the liquids are dumped into the water. Commercial establishments, however, are required to have individual treatment facilities, so the situation is far from perfect, but is also better than having no treatment at all. Apparently there is a lot of movement of water through the area, which prevents accumulation of pollution.
Also, many canals are about a meter deep, but some are much deeper, so you may or may not be able to wade ashore. The gondolas we saw had cushions which doubled as flotation devices.
I'm a sailor, and I evaluated the traghettos as unsafe because everyone was standing, so I sat down; no one complained. I don't swim, but I never felt endangered on the vaporettos or gondolas, other than that traghetto.
Also, many canals are about a meter deep, but some are much deeper, so you may or may not be able to wade ashore. The gondolas we saw had cushions which doubled as flotation devices.
I'm a sailor, and I evaluated the traghettos as unsafe because everyone was standing, so I sat down; no one complained. I don't swim, but I never felt endangered on the vaporettos or gondolas, other than that traghetto.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 10:33 PM
#117
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One of my guidebooks says there were about 200 war-related fatalities in Venice during WWII, not because of battle or bombing, but because with all the lights turned off, these unfortunate people fell into the canals.
Oct 3rd, 2004, 02:56 AM
#118
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Believe me, a lifejacket isn't going to help you avoid the contents of a Venice canal..it will just help you float in the soup for a longer innoculation period.
If I didn't know better I'd say the original post was a troll. Perhaps your cousin should have asked "her Mother" WHY she didn't teach her to swim a long time ago.
If I didn't know better I'd say the original post was a troll. Perhaps your cousin should have asked "her Mother" WHY she didn't teach her to swim a long time ago.
Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:22 AM
#119
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Topman, you're late to the party. faith has long since departed, accused one too many times of being a troll. Personally I didn't care, as her tales were so amusing and stimulated such varied response.
