The motoscafo is a Venetian public waterbus (more slender and faster than a normal vaporetto) which is dedicated to scheduled services along the circumnavigation routes of the historic centre of Venice.
History The first motoscafi were introduced in 1933 when with the opening of the Rio Nuovo it became necessary to introduce boats smaller than vaporettos, having the capacity to operate along narrower canals and under low bridges. Eight vessels were ordered from C.N.O.M., Venice.
The first vessels had open front and no cabin protection for the crew. Later models provided an enclosed front for passengers and a driving cabin for the crew. Despite these modest improvements the general design and capacity has remained fairly consistent.
The motoscafi are operated by (ACTV), the Venetian public transport system. Typically they are deployed on routes 3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, and 6.
Fleet SeriesShipyardNo of vesselsNumbersDate introducedNotes1C.N.O.M., Venice8101 to 108193325109 to 1141937 Initially containing a Voith-Schneider drive and rear-end, later modified with propeller-rudder system3C.N.O.M., Venice115 to 1471942Designed before 19404Papette, Venice3148 to 1501954 to 1955Modified series 3 desgn5ACNIL, Venice5151 to 1551960 to 196263161 - 1631962Celli type fast vessels with a top speed of 22 knots constructed in light alloy with an angular hull79171 to 17919648De Poli, Castracani, Toffolo190 to 2251978Similar to series 3912302000An experimental vessel in aluminium10Cantiere Navale de Poli SpA, Venice266 onwards2005 to 2006Similar to series 8Papette, Venice182 to 1831964Alfa Romeo Diesel. Used as tug boats.Cantieri Tagliapietra Venezia102 to 1051988Volvo Penta D41 LDS Diesel. Single-crew operation, designed for less busy routes.
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