(2005 News) Swiss Lake Paddle Steamer Timetables. Latest News, Fleet Lists, Archives, Pictures, Special Sailings, Features and loads more!

PS Uri operated a special New Year's Eve Gala Cruise from Luzern at 1930

28th December 2005

PS Uri operated an evening Fondue cruise from Luzern at 1920 on Wednesday 28th December

27th December 2005

PS Uri operated an evening Fondue cruise from Beckenried at 1840 on Tuesday 27th December

25th December 2005

Christmas Day
For the first time this centuary a motor paddle vessel was in service on Christmas Day on Lake Geneva

18th December 2005

PS Uri operated a morning Brunch cruise from Luzern at 1100 followed by an afternoon Carols cruise commencing at Beckenried at 1300 on Sunday 18th December

13th December 2005

Despite originally being rostered in the official "OGS" to operate the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service between 1715 and 2255 on Tuesday 13th December MPV Vevey was subsequently altered to operate the morning service between 0455 and 1220 with mv Lausanne covering the evening runs

11th December 2005

PS Montreux operated the first of two Sunday Christmas Lunch Cruises from Lausanne at 1200 to the Montreux Christmas Market on Sunday 11th December

In addition, MPV Vevey took over the retimed Sunday afternoon sailings 920-921 from Lausanne to Château de Chillon followed by the last two round trips of the day to Evian-les-Bains

PS Uri operated a morning Brunch cruise followed by an afternoon Carols cruise from Luzern at 1100 and 1445 on Sunday 11th December

10th December 2005

PS Uri operated the first of a series of special public Advent Cruises from Luzern on Saturday 10th December prior to some Festive timetabled sailings commencing Christmas Day

4th December 2005

Last day of the 'traditional' CGN Winter "Upper Lake" Sunday timetable
Sunday 4th December was also be the final day in service of MPV Italie
Her last sailings were 1230 Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon and return followed by 1545 Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains and return ending at Lausanne at 1705
Thereafter the motor paddle vessel was "long-term" lay-up on the outer wall at Ouchy dock joining her larger sister MPV Helvétie - also awaiting finance for a major re-build
See also the special photo feature

2nd December 2005

PS Uri operated a special fondue charter sailing from Luzern at 1915 on Friday 2nd December
- repeated the following night

19th November 2005

PS Uri operated a special dance charter sailing from Luzern at 1815 on Saturday 19th November

17th November 2005

Owing to strong winds MPV Italie was pressed into service at 0945 on Thursday 17th November to cover the Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service vice mv Lausanne which is considered unsuitable in such conditions
With no change in the weather, she continued to cover the service throughout Friday 18th November
The same thing happened again on Tuesday 22nd November Wednesday 23rd November and Thursday 24th November proving the worth of having a motor paddle vessel in service during the winter period

9th November 2005

PS Stadt Luzern again operated the annual special R�tlischiessen sailing from Luzern at 0440 on Wednesday 9th November

30th October 2005

The final day of the CGN Autumn timetable
Sunday 30th October was was also the final visit by MPV Italie to Geneva
Click on picture on left by Jean-Pierre Butikofer for an enlargement of the motor paddle vessel on her final visit to Geneva also here for another picture of her approaching Nyon by Bachmann Olivier on her return sailing - note the state of her port paddlebox
Also click here for a photo feature showing views inside the enginroom taken on the same sailing

15th October 2005

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue Cruise from Thun at 1850 on Saturday 15th October

8th October 2005

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue Cruise from Thun at 1850 on Saturday 8th October

2nd October 2005

PS La Suisse operated a special Lunch Cruise followed by an Afternoon Cruise from Geneva at 1100 and 1435 respectively on Sunday 2nd October

1st October 2005

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue Cruise from Thun at 1850 on Saturday 1st October

26th September 2005

As a result of the early withdrawal from service of the small mv Grèbe the short "Belles-Rives Genevoises" cruises were operated by MPV Vevey on Monday 26th September both before and after her regular "lunch cruise"
This arrangement continued daily until Sunday 30th October (the last day of the Autumn timetable)

25th September 2005

Lake Garda

MPV G Zanardelli operated an afternoon Regata Storica I Barconi Del Garda Cruise from Bardolino at 1400 on Sunday 25th September

The last ever full-length "Grand Races" sailings were operated by PS La Suisse from Geneva and MPV Italie from Le Bouveret on Sunday 25th September
These traditional full-length sailings will be replaced in 2006 by much shorter sailings

500 anniversary of the "Schweizergarde"
A large charter sailing by all five paddle steamers was originally planned to take place at 1200 on Sunday 25th September
Whilst the organisers were initially expecting a 'huge' turnout, the actual numbers booking were considerably less requiring just PS Stadt Luzern

In consequence the remaining four paddle steamers reverted to timetabled sailings
These were the final sailings of 2005 by PS Gallia PS Schiller and PS Unterwalden

24th September 2005

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise on Saturday 24th September to compensate for Saturday 27th August

17th September 2005

PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 17th September

10th/11th
September 2005

Journées du patrimoine
PS Rhône replaced PS Montreux (which had broken down earlier in the week) and operated her 50 minute mini-cruises from Lausanne-Bellerive every hour between 1000 and 1400 followed by a longer sail to Evian at 1500 on both Saturday 10th September and Sunday 11th September in conjunction with the CGN Ouchy Works "Open Day"
In addition on just the Sunday PS Simplon operated a special sailing from Geneva to the event - this was her final public sailing of 2005

10th September 2005

Lake Garda

MPV Italia operated the annual all-day 55th Regatta Cruise from Gargnano at 0830 on Saturday 10th September

7th September 2005

PS Montreux broke down at Ouchy in the middle of her 'charter period' on Wednesday 7th September
Her charter sailings were covered by either mv Lausanne (Thursday 8th September or PS Rhône (Friday 9th September) - the latter also covered the special sailings for the Journées du patrimoine (the following weekend)

28th August 2005

PS Stadt Rapperswil broke down at Zurich having just arrived light at the Bürkliplatz pier from the dock to work sailing 101 on Sunday 28th August - after repairs she returned to dock mid-afternoon, some five hours after her initial problem
The small mv Glärnisch was quickly pressed into service and covered sailings 101-102-115-116 but ran approximately quarter on an hour late on the first round trip
Ironically PS Stadt Zürich had already been replaced by mv Wädenswil on the full-length 1230 Schmerikon run, thus resulting in no paddle steamer sailings on a Peak-Summer August Sunday

27th August 2005

** RE-DATED **

PS Lötschberg was planned to operate an evening Jazz Cruise on Saturday 27th August similar to Saturday 25th June but this was unable to sail due to the exceptionally high lake level
It ultimately took place on Saturday 24th September

Lake Garda

MPV Italia made a rare peak-Summer visit the head of the lake at Rive on Saturday 27th August vice the regular car ferry which operated an eveing fireworks cruise

24th August 2005

Continuing Heavy Rain and High Lake Levels
A temporary service was introduced on Wednesday 24th August operated solely by motor vessels to just the Flüelen direction - maximum speed 16 km/h on the lake and just 10 km/h close to the shore to allow for large patches of floating drift-wood
Paddle steamers returned to timetabled service on Wednesday 31st August

23rd August 2005

Heavy Rain and High Lake Levels

Exceptionally high lake levels in the Interlaken area resulted in the railway station at Ost being flooded with sailings on Lake Brienz including those planned to be operated by PS Lötschberg withdrawn all day on Tuesday 23rd August
All sailings remained suspended until Saturday 3rd September - when motor vessels (only) returned for the remainder of the season

Exceptionally high lake levels in all four legs of the lake on Tuesday 23rd August resulted in the suspension of all timetabled sailings by the five paddle steamers on arrival back at Luzern
Sailings to Alpnachstad on the day were terminated at Stansstad with the small mv Pilatus operating vice the advertised PS Unterwalden
Some other sailings, including the 1525 "teatime" and the 1925 "sunset" cruises to Vitznau were operated by a motor vessel in a last minute switch of rosters

Exceptionally high lake levels in the Interlaken and Thun areas resulted in cancellation of all sailings on Lake Thun on Tuesday 23rd August including those planned to be operated by PS Blümlisalp
Sailings returned to the lake on Wednesday 31st August

See also the features page for further information

15th August 2005

Liberation of Evian-les-Bains
PS Rhône operated an evening Fireworks Cruise to the French coast from Lausanne at 2010 on Monday 15th August

13th August 2005

Fêtes de Gen�ve
PS La Suisse and MPV Vevey operated evening Fireworks Cruises from various Little Lake piers to Geneva on Saturday 13th August

12th August 2005

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 2000 on Friday 12th August

6th August 2005

Annual Fireworks at Luzern
PS Gallia PS Stadt Luzern and PS Uri operated evening Fireworks Cruises from Luzern on Saturday 6th August

4th August 2005

60th Anniversary of the ONU
PS La Suisse and MPV Vevey operated evening Fireworks Cruises from various Little Lake piers to Geneva on Thursday 4th August

1st August 2005

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Monday 1st August

In additional to the regular timetabled sailings PS Rhône operated an evening fireworks cruise from Lausanne depart 2010

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel operated two international cruises from Rorschach to Lindau on Monday 1st August followed by an evening Jazz Cruise

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five operational paddle steamers sailed in convoy along with some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 2000 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display

In additional to the regular afternoon timetabled sailings 15-16 PS Blümlisalp took part in the annual evening naval parade from Thun at 2030 along with two motor vessels

In additional to the normal timetabled sailings PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening cruise from Zurich at 2015

31st July 2005

MPV Italie operated her final special cruise - an evening Fireworks Cruise from Le Bouveret and other Upper Lake piers on Sunday 31st July

24th July 2005

PS Stadt Luzern operated a special charter sailing on Sunday 24th July to Rütli from Luzern at 0915 to mark the 65th anniversary of the important meeting of General Guisan (Commander-In-Chief of the Swiss Army in World War II) with his high ranking Swiss Army officers on Thursday 25th July 1940
PS Stadt Luzern was used to celebrate the 'original' ship and sailed to the 'original' place
The cruise by PS Stadt Luzern from Luzern to the Rütli Meadow, (the same spot where pike-wielding herdsmen had formed the Swiss Confederation in 1291) with the General of the Swiss Army on board in 1940 was one of the most important runs of the paddle steamer

Lake Como

A small accident occured to PS Concordia on Sunday 24th July at Argegno on her outward sailing 10
The wooden fender was partially damaged on departure and the steamer was unable to proceed as the split wood wedged against the pier - after the crew had found an electric saw, they managed to free the paddler steamer and she continued her sailing
The offerding 5 metre section of the fender was replaced by the following weekend

19th July 2005

PS Uri operated an evening cruise from Flüelen at 1940 on Tuesday 19th July

15th July 2005

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 2000 on Friday 15th July

14th July 2005

French National Holiday
PS Rhône operated an evening Fireworks Cruise to the French coast from Lausanne at 2010 on Thursday 14th July

12th July 2005

PS Unterwalden operated an evening cruise from Beckenried at 1945 on Tuesday 12th July

11th July 2005

PS Lötschberg unusually operated the earlier timetabled sailings 59-60-65-66 at 0910 and 1210 on Monday 11th July
It is very rare for her to stray from the traditional advertised mid-morning and early-afternoon departures from Interlaken

7th July 2005

In typical wet winter weather, PS Rhône broke down at Clarens with hydraulic control problems on Thursday 7th July and terminated her morning sailing 36 - the remainder of her sailings for the day were cancelled
The motor paddle vessel made her own way back to Ouchy dock for repairs then continued light to Geneva later in the day to take up her normal sailings the following day

2nd/3rd July 2005

PS Simplon (which suffered a serious explosion on Monday 18th August 2003) returned to service on Saturday 2nd July and operated four "thank you" special sailings from Lausanne for those who donated to the repair fund
Similar sailings also operated from Geneva on Sunday 3rd July

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Zurich at 1800 on Saturday 2nd July to the Blues and Jazz Festival at Rapperswil

26th June 2005

As a result of cylinder head problem on the MPV Italie first thing on Sunday 26th June for the second time this month mv Chablais operated the 0850 sailing 1 to Geneva - this time only as far as Lausanne, where mv Ville-de-Genève took over resulting in the 1115 sailing to Yvoire (via the French coast) being downgraded to mv Léman
Fortunately repairs did not take too long and after lunch she sailed light to Evian-les-Bains to take up her normal return sailing 6 (commencing 1720) in very sunny conditions - no doubt proving the worth of the deckspace on the paddlers after passengers had been cooped up in the Ville-de-Genève 'hothouse' for most of the day !

25th June 2005

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Interlaken at 1920 on Saturday 25th June

19th June 2005

PS Stadt Rapperswil broke down at Thalwil on sailing 101 with electrical problems on Sunday 19th June but managed to return under her own steam direct to the shipyard at Wollishofen - resulting in the remainder of that sailing being cancelled - at this stage, it is not clear how long she will be out of service
Passengers were transferred onto the following sailing 103 operated by mv Wädenswil
The small mv Säntis was quickly pressed into service and sailed light to Richterswil to replaced the paddle steamer on the latter half of her return sailing 102 being in turn replaced by a larger motor vessel for the afternoon sailings 115-116

7th/8th June 2005

PS Schiller made a rare mid-week visit to the extreme head of the lake and called at the small Seedorf pier on Tuesday 7th June vice the usual motor vessel
This was repeated the following day

5th June 2005

Lake Como

Owing to hot weather on Sunday 5th June the lake was full of algae and other vegitation which blocked the water cooling pumps of several vessels
PS Concordia was no exception and at about 1645 - shortly after leaving Varenna - she had to stop for half an hour in the open lake to fix the problem and to allow her engine to cool down - she then operated the rest of sailing 47 without any further problem, running approximately 30 minutes late throughout to Como

4th June 2005

As a result of a minor electrical problem first thing on Saturday 4th June MPV Italie missed her regular sailing to Geneva which was covered by the much smaller mv Chablais
Following quick repairs, she unusually took over the Upper Lake 'circle' cruises which included rare Summer calls for her at St-Gingolph on the French border

2nd June 2005

PS Rhône failed at Lausanne whilst operating sailing 4 on Thursday 2nd June
mv Léman took over the remainder of sailing 4 and sailing 91 and in consequence her Evian Ferry sailings 313-314 had to be cancelled
The paddle steamer was back in service the following day

For the first time this century, all five paddle steamers operated to Flüelen in timetabled service on the same day
Even more surprisingly, the same thing happened again on both Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th June
Do you know the date this last happened ?

22nd May 2005

Immediately after departing stern first from Rapperswil pier on Sunday 22nd May with 118 passengers on sailing 116 a small "Pedalo" (paddle-boat) crossed the path of PS Stadt Zürich and she went full ahead to avoid a collision, but ran aground sustaining damage to both her hull and a paddle
She continued her homeward sailing, but stopped at Stäfa to pump out some water and to set down passengers for the north bank to continue their journey by train
After crossing the lake to Horgen, passengers for the remaining south bank piers alighted and continued their journey by train, afterwhich the paddle steamer proceeded direct to Wollishofen (dock)
The paddle steamer entered dry-dock the following day for repairs which were estimated at SF50,000 and she returned to public service on Sunday 12th June

14th May 2005

PS Montreux operated several 'one hour' cruises from Morges on Saturday 14th May
If you have any further details, advertising material or pictures, please email me

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel took part in a special "all steam" Charter excursion (open to the public) on Saturday 14th May
The inclusive package started from Zurich and during the special sailing, the paddle steamer sailed at "full speed" (estimated at 52 rpm - twice her normal service speed)

11th May 2005

PS Simplon made her first successful test sailing on Wednesday 11th June following major repairs after her explosion shortly after leaving Geneva (Jardin-Anglais pier) at the start of sailing 80 on Monday 18th August 2003
The paddle steamer returned to service on Saturday 2nd July

8th May 2005

All lakes

Swiss Mothers Day - Sunday 8th May

PS Lötschberg returned to service for the 2005 season and commenced her retimed sailings 63-64-69-70 leaving Interlaken at 1110 and 1410 on Sunday 8th May

Lake Como

PS Concordia took part in a special "all steam" Charter excursion (open to the public) on Sunday 8th May
The inclusive package started from Milan at 0750

MPV Vevey was advertised to operate an extended Mothers Day Lunch Cruise from Geneva on Sunday 8th May departing 1220

In additional to the advertised timetabled sailings operated by PS Stadt Rapperswil, PS Stadt Zürich operated sailings 111-112 vice the regular motor vessel before operating an evening dinner cruise from Zurich at 1900

1st May 2005

Lake Konstanz

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Rorschach to Lindau at 1155 and 1450 on Sunday 1st May

24th April 2005

All lakes

Swiss Navigation Day - Sunday 24th April

Whilst there were no changes to the advertised timetable, the large PS La Suisse operated the 1230 sailing from Lausanne to the Upper Lake in miserable weather releasing the smaller PS Rhône to operate the 1000 and 1400 sailings vice mv Général-Guisan on Sunday 24th April

PS Stadt Luzern operated the only advertised sailing to Flüelen at 1125
In addition PS Unterwalden operated a morning and a lunchtime sailing to Stansstad followed by the traditional teatime sailing to Vitznau on Sunday 24th April

PS Blümlisalp returned to service for the 2005 season and commenced her retimed sailings 15-16 leaving Thun at 1238 on Sunday 24th April

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the traditional five special one hour trips from Zurich at 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500 and 1630 on Sunday 24th April

PS Stadt Zürich also operated sailings 111-112 vice a motor vessel
This resulted in the rare sight of both paddle steamers whistling then leaving together from Zurich at 1330

10th April 2005

PS Rhône collided with Vevey La Tour pier in strong north winds whilst returning to Lausanne operating sailing 33 on Sunday 10th April
The paddle steamer damaged her stern - see pictures from the News Page of Jean Vernet's website at the time

17th February 2005

As a result of the breakdown of mv Léman on Thursday 17th February MPV Italie was pressed into use on the Lausanne - Evian-les-Bains ferry service
Similar cover had to be provided again on Monday 28th February when mv Henry-Dunant which was covering the larger ferry also broke down

12th February 2005

Lake Neuchâtel

A special steam train hauled the Maffei steam engine No. 576 (previously installed in PS Ludwig Fessler) from Basel to Yverdon
Click here for information about the ambitious plans to restore her in PS Neuchâtel

6th February 2005

MPV Italie was the first paddle vessel to re-enter service for the 2005 season after a winter lay-up on any Swiss or Italian lake
She operated the Sunday Lunch cruise sailings 38-39 from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon and return on Sunday 6th February
- and continued to do so each weekend throughout the remainder of the winter timetable (until 20th March)
Note - the original plan for her to enter service on Sunday 30th January was abandoned after an extension to her overhaul period was found nesessary

19th January 2005