Lake Constance: Storm puts sailors in distress

The storm had been forecast, and yet several sailors were on the lake when the storm broke out, according to the report from the water police:

"Even before the strong wind warning was issued, the weather front was clearly visible over the Swiss shore. For this reason, several stand-up paddlers were sent to shore in good time by the crew of the police boat Hecht in the area of Lindau Island.

Half an hour after the strong wind warning was issued, a red sailing boat with two people on board got into difficulties off Nonnenhorn. The crew had not reefed sufficiently in time. When recovering the reefed mainsail, the sailboat was pushed flat on the water several times by gusts of gale force wind, ran out of the rudder and shot into the wind. The headsail tore due to the strong wind. The sailboat was accompanied by the Hecht police boat while the sails were being recovered until the sailboat was able to continue on its way to Kressbronn under its own engine power.

No further escort was possible as a second sailing boat was obviously in distress. The crew members of this boat had already recovered the sails. The furling jib had been partially unfurled by the wind and was torn. The crew wanted to disembark. A transfer to the police boat was too dangerous due to the swell and therefore not possible. This sailing boat was also pushed flat on the water several times by gusts of wind and swell. The crew of the Hecht police boat requested assistance from the Seewolf water rescue boat via the operations centre. The sailing boat was accompanied by the police boat until the water rescue boat arrived. The sailing boat was later taken in tow by the water rescue boat, as the small outboard motor had also failed.

In the meantime, a sailing boat from Sankt Gallen passed the police boat. There was obviously a problem with this sailboat as well, as the foresail had also died and was obviously torn. Initially, no assistance was required. Later, the sailing boat had problems entering the harbour off Wasserburg. The operation was taken over by the police boat V20 from Hard and the sailing boat was escorted into the harbour. A fourth sailing boat, which also had problems off Wasserburg (B), was escorted to a safe harbour by the police boat from Friedrichshafen. "