One punt too many? Venice's gondoliers face breathalyser tests after series of complaints of drunkenness

Calls come for boatmen to adhere to same rules as all transport operators

Follows incident in which a young man was forced to strip and swim in canal as part of his 'job interview' to be a gondolier

Venice's famous gondoliers could soon be subject to breathalyser tests, after a series of complaints about drunkenness.

Under a proposed crackdown, the boatmen, who punt tourists around the 'floating city', would have to undergo the same alcohol and drug tests that drivers face.

The president of the gondoliers' association, Nicola Falconi, who is bringing the proposal to the council, told Italian news agency ANSA the tests should be applied to all transport operators in the city.

Booze-free gondoliers: The president of the gondoliers' association, Nicola Falconi, wants all gondoliers to be breathalysed

He said: ‘From water-bus drivers to ship hands - we're facing an ever-mounting problem'

The move comes in response to an alleged naked incident involving an aspiring gondolier last week.

A video posted online showed a group of gondoliers apparently forcing a candidate to strip off his clothes and swim in a canal off St Mark's Square in order to get the job.

The victim was allegedly applying to become a 'ganser', the person who helps passengers in and out of the gondola.



Sobriety test: Calls for gondoliers to be breathalysed come after a young man was allegedly forced to strip and swim in a canal off St Mark's Square, pictured in the background, left. A gondolier points out the sites by Rialto Bridge, right



Politicians last week called for a lifetime suspension of the gondoliers involved.

Working as a gondolier in the famous romantic watery city is a competitive industry; skilled Venetian gondoliers are considered on a par with Spain's bull-fighters.



Local councillors Enrica Berti and Chiara Marri said: ‘Gondoliers represent our city before the entire world, and as such they must respect not only Venice's culture and history, but also the human and social spirit of its citizens.’

