The coronavirus pandemic has placed a heavy burden on Venice's vast tourism industry. But as it emerges from lockdown, the city is attempting to ease another load from the shoulders of its gondoliers.

A new restriction will see the maximum capacity on the city's famous gondolas reduced from six passengers to five.

And it's not social distancing that prompted the change -- it's the ballooning average weight of tourists flocking to the destination.

Balbi said heavier loads often mean the gondolas take on water, making it harder for gondoliers to navigate canal traffic.

Raoul Roveratto, president of the association of substitute gondoliers -- a group representing less experienced gondoliers -- didn't mince his words in a statement to La Repubblica newspaper. "From some countries, it's like bombs loading on and when (the boat) is fully loaded, the hull sinks and water enters," he said.

"Going forward with over half a ton of meat on board is dangerous," Roveratto said.

Full story here.

Look man, the gondola guys have had enough. I’ll admit, it’s always been in the back of my mind how wonderful the luxury of gondola and rickshaw rides are. Think about it, every time I’ve ever walked up to one I’ve never had a doubt that the driver will transport me from A to B. There’s no concern over a weight limit. This is their job. I am their boss. They have to get me there. So that’s been nice, I also realize that’s super fucked up.

These gondola guys can’t take it any more. You heard them, what used to be transporting a pair of hot italian lovers with a combined BMI of 4 has now turned into transporting 2 tons of tomahawk missiles in a sinking boat. That’s a terrible direction for a job to be trending. Do you hear the esteemed Raoul Roveratto? President of subsitute gondola drivers? He’s talking about transporting “meat” That’s how much they hate the big boys of the world right now. They used to look at us and see paying customers. Now they look at us and see the guy behind the deli counter putting 300 lbs of honey ham on the scale. These poor, poor souls. 

And, I have to say, lowering it from six to five people doesn’t seem like it would make that big of a difference. If this is a big enough problem that boats are sinking and gondola dudes are dropping like flies, it’s going to take more than leaving Gam Gam at the dock. God I get nervous with five people in an elevator, imagine how pumped I’d be to have those same people on a mode of transport that was invented in the Medieval ages where I assume it was tough to find five people in the same spot who were alive. 

I don’t know about you, but if I’m one of five people in a gondola I’m at least offering to help paddle with my hands. I’m sure gondola drivers are a proud bunch but the longer we’re the water the more we’re gonna sink. And unless everybody on this boat is getting skinnier, you’re going to need all the help you can get.