Distress at sea: Number of shipping accidents on Lake Constance on the rise

133 shipping accidents were recorded on Lake Constance last year, three more than in 2017. This is comparatively low despite the long water sports season that accompanied the super summer in 2018. In the years 2012 to 2016, the figures were always between 147 and 152 accidents. This was the result of an analysis of the accident statistics for 2018 by the heads of the lake and water police from Lindau, Vorarlberg, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen and Baden-Württemberg. The figures were published on Friday.

Twelve people were injured and one died in shipping accidents in 2018. Moreover, most of the accidents did not occur far out on the lake, but rather mainly in the harbours or at jetties and in the shore area.

The shipping accidents involved 116 motorboats, 65 sailing boats, 10 rowing boats, 5 commercial vessels and one surfer. The damage resulting from the accidents totalled 1.1 million euros.

In addition to the types of accidents (see chart), a look at the causes of accidents is also revealing. According to this, it was found that
72 accidents due to lack of care on the part of the skipper,
23 accidents due to technical defects/equipment,
16 accidents due to non-compliance with navigation rules,
14 accidents due to storms/swells and
8 accidents of other kinds.

The maritime and waterway police were able to rescue 437 people (2017: 361) from distress at sea who would not have reached the shore without outside help. 242 boats (2017: 188) had to be rescued by rescue services.

Overall, the number of sea rescue operations rose from 290 to 352. This increase was due to the long season, the stable weather conditions and the associated high number of water sports enthusiasts on Lake Constance.