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Paddle Steamer News

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2017

2017
At present,  all later-2017,  2018,  2019 and 2020 news can be found on the "Current News" page
31st December 2017
All lakes
New Year's Eve - Sunday 31st December
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated an evening Dinner Cruises from Geneva and the Upper Lake respectively on Sunday 31st December
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Sunday 31st December
Lake Thun
In additional to the regular timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16   PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Thun at 2010 on Sunday 31st December
25th December 2017
All lakes
Christmas Day - Monday 25th December
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated Christmas Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Monday 25th December
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Christmas Day - Monday 25th December
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Christmas Day - Monday 25th December then daily until Tuesday 2nd January
24th December 2017
All lakes
Christmas Eve - Sunday 24th December
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated the timetabled Christmas Eve Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Sunday 24th December
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated an evening Gala Dinner Cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Sunday 24th December
11th December 2017
Lake Geneva
Owing to a very bad weather forecast for the week,   MPV Vevey was pressed into service to cover the Thonon-les-Bains ferry in lieu of mv Lausanne from lunchtime on Monday 11th December until the end of service on Friday 15th December
Storms prevented her sailing in the morning on Thursday 14th December
10th-11th November 2017
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated two rare winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruises" from Luzern at 2000 on Friday 10th November and Saturday 11th November
29th October 2017
Lake Geneva
PS La Suisse operated winter timetabled sailings 1107-1108-1109-1110-930-931 to Evian-les-Bains and the Upper lake on Sunday 29th October - something normally restricted to the motor paddle vessels
21st October 2017
Lake Maggiore
PS Piemonte operated a special International Charter Cruise from Arona (Italy) to Locarno at the Swiss end of the lake on Saturday 21st October
This sailing is open to the public
7th October 2017
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening "Fondue Cruise" from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 7th October
16th September 2017
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Zürich set off from Zurich as planned at 1130 for Schmerikon on Saturday 16th September operating sailing 107 but had rudder problems off-Schmerikon - it then took over 40 minutes before the passengers were able to get ashore following use of the emergency rudder
The return sailing 108 was cancelled, but after further repairs, the paddle steamer later made her own way 'light' back to dock
Despite sister PS Stadt Raperswil being spare, the ZSG rostered mv Wädenswil to cover the same sailings on the Sunday
The paddle steamer was back in service again on the Monday
3rd September 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise and an afternoon International cruise from Konstanz at 1000 and 1415 on Sunday 3rd September
Lake Luzern
Owing to insufficient operational motor vessels - compounded by the breakdown of mv Schwyz for several days,  PS Stadt Luzern had to be rostered to operate the lightly loaded 1000 ferry sailing 504 connection off the recently re-opened Bürgenstock funicular on Sunday 3rd September before operating her regular "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 to Flüelen
This released the small regular ferry mv Titlis to cover another motor vessel

2nd September 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated morning, afternoon and evening cruises from Altnau and Konstanz on Saturday 2nd September
27th August 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône operated a special ABVL Charter Cruise from Lausanne and Morges to Amphion and Evian-les-Bains as part of her "90th Birthday celebrations"
26th August 2017
Lake Garda
MPV G Zanardelli operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Riva at 2115 on Saturday 26th August
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil set off from Zurich as planned at 0930 for Rapperswil on Saturday 26th August operating sailing 103 but 'appanently' failed to return
Later sister PS Stadt Zürich arrived light from the dock at 1415 and covered the 1430 sailing 113 to Rapperswil

13th August 2017
Lake Geneva
Owing to PS La Suisse having to go into dock for urgent pre-planned repairs PS Rhône operated the Lausanne based Upper Lake sailings 200-201-202-203-204-205 from Sunday 13th August to Thursday 17th August inclusive
PS Montreux brokedown at Lausanne with minor "technical problems" and her evening sailings 487-488 to and from Yvoire had to be covered by the much smaller mv Morges
She returned to service at 1415 the following day

12th August 2017
Lake Luzern
PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock for the second time in less than a week with further "technical problems"
PS Schiller "stepped-up" to cover the 1110 "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 and mv Europa was again pressed into covering advertised paddle steamer sailings on Saturday 12th August

10th August 2017
Lake Luzern
PS Schiller remained at the dock for the second time this year with "technical problems"
Onced again mv Europa was pressed into covering advertised paddle steamer sailings on Thursday 10th August

6th August 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise and an evening Theatre Cruise from Rorschach) at 1000 and 1815 on Sunday 6th August
Lake Luzern
PS Stadt Luzern remained at the dock all day with some form of "technical problem"
Unusually, rather than "stepping-up" one of the other paddle steamers, the 1110 "Gotthard Panorama Express" sailings 13-24 had to be covered by mv Europa on Sunday 6th August

1st August 2017
All lakes
Swiss National Day - Tuesday 1st August
Lake Geneva
PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne at 2015 on Tuesday 1st August
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated morning, afternoon and evening cruises from Rorschach, Romanshorn and Arbon on Tuesday 1st August
Lake Luzern
Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by some of the motor vessels from Luzern at 1945 to Brunnen for the annual fireworks display on Tuesday 1st August
Lake Neuchâtel
PS Neuchâtel operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Neuchâtel at 2000 on Tuesday 1st August instead of her regular timetabled sailings
Lake Thun
In additional to the regular afternoon timetabled sailings 15-16   PS Blümlisalp took part in the annual evening naval parade from Thun at 2020 along with most of the lake's motor vessels on Tuesday 1st August
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Zürich operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015 on Tuesday 1st August after her Sunday/Public Holiday timetabled sailing to Schmerikon
31st July 2017
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey operated an evening Fireworks cruise from the Upper Lake piers to Le Bouveret on Monday 31st July
23rd July 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner and Theatre Cruise from Rorschach at 1900 on Sunday 23rd July
19th July 2017
Lake Zurich
Following operating her normal timetabled sailings the previous day, PS Stadt Rapperswil remained in dock from Wednesday 19th July whilst repairs were made to her port paddle wheel
It is understood this involved re-welding part of her new paddle wheel which had been built to replace the one which was damaged when she grounded in strong winds on Friday 17th July 2015
She ran a public "test" day as far as Rapperswil only on Thursday 17th August..........
..........and subsequently re-started her regualar timetabled sailings alternating with sister PS Stadt Zürich the following Wednesday
14th July 2017
Lake Geneva
PS La Suisse operated an evening Fireworks cruise from Lausanne at 1950 to the display at Evian-les-Bains on Friday 14th July
4th July 2017
Lake Luzern
Despite PS Schiller originally being rostered to operate her usual sailings, she visited the dock on Tuesday 4th July for two days of repairs
Fortunately only four paddle steamers were advertised in service at that time of the year, so her sister PS Gallia coverrd her sailings 21-30 for the two days
23rd June 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an Afternoon Cruise from Konstanz at 1430 and an evening Wine and Dine Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Friday 23rd June
12th June 2017
Lake Luzern
Despite PS Uri originally being planned to operate her normal sailings 7-18 from Luzern to Flüelen on Monday 13th June she made a visit to dock
Fortunately only four paddle steamers are advertised in service at this time of the year, so her sisters were able to "step-up" to cover
She returned to service on Wednesday 14th June before returning to dock for two more days on Friday 16th June and Saturday 17th June
11th June 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône operated three special "Creux de Sciez" circuits serving the piers at Margencel,  Sciez and Excenevex which are no longer served by regular timetabled sailings on Sunday 11th June
4th June 2017
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Konstanz to Immenstaad (Germany) at 1025 and 1315 on Sunday 4th June
3rd June 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Rhône operated the mid-morning sailing from Lausanne to Yvoire/Nyon over the 3-Day Whit weekend commencing Saturday 3rd June
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Saturday 3rd June
25th May 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon suffered a lubrification problem in the low pressure cylinder whilst operating sailing 102 from Geneva on Ascension Thursday 25th May and was taken was taken out of service at Lausanne for quick repairs
In consequence return sailing 105 was covered by the much smaller ferry mv Ville-de-Genève - a rare occasion for her to visit Geneva
The paddle steamer was quickly repaired and returned light to Geneva the following day allowing her to cover the weekend sailings 102-105 as originally planned
7th May 2017
All lakes
Swiss Navigation Day - Sunday 7th May
Instead of the usual "last Sunday in April" it was held slightly later in 2017
Lake Thun
To celebrate 25 years back in service PS Blümlisalp opened her anniversary year with a special 3 hour pre-season family "sailing day" including special offers and surprises for Adults and Children at 1114 from Thun on Sunday 7th May
6th May 2017
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening "Dinner Cruise" from Zurich at 2000 on Saturday 6th May
This special sailing was originally advertised for Saturday 29th April
29th April 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Simplon operated a pre-season afternoon " Charter Cruise" for the 'ABVL' AGM from Montreux on Saturday 29th April
24th April 2017
Lake Geneva
PS Savoie suffered a failure just before operating the 1140 sailing 920 from Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon (it turned out to be a minor technical problem with an engine pump that occurred just before sailing) which was quickly repaired to enable the paddle steamer to return to service with the afternoon sailings 922-923
The CGN turned out the much smaller mv Général-Guisan at short notice to cover the sailing, afterwhich she was later able to operate her regular evening Thonon-les-Bains ferry crossing
17th April 2017
All lakes
Easter Monday 17th April
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated a morning Jazz Cruise from Konstanz at 1000 on Easter Monday 17th April
16th April 2017
All lakes
Easter Sunday 16th April
Lake Konstanz
PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Dinner Cruise from Konstanz at 1900 on Easter Sunday 16th April
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden operated an Easter Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Easter Sunday 16th April resulting in her advertised morning timetabled sailings 7-18 having to be replaced by mv Gotthard
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the lunchtime timetabled sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Easter Sunday 16th April
14th April 2017
All lakes
Good Friday 14th April
Lake Geneva
As a result of a very good weather forecast PS La Suisse was rostered to operate the Upper Lake sailings 920-921-922-923 from Lausanne in order to provide additional capacity on Good Friday 14th April
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated the lunchtime timetabled sailings 109-110 from Zurich to Rapperswil and return on Good Friday 14th April and all over the Easter weekend
10th April 2017
Lake Geneva
As a result of a major overhaul of the regular ferry mv Léman  PS La Suisse operated most of the weekday Evian-les-Bains ferry sailings for several weeks commencing Monday 10th April
9th April 2017
Lake Geneva
PS La Suisse operated a rare winter afternoon ABVL "Charter Cruise" from Lausanne dock in conjunction with a special Steam-Hauled train from Le Bouveret to Rivaz/St-Saphorin (hauled by Pacific loco 01 202) on Sunday 9th April
28th March 2017
Lake Zurich
PS Stadt Rapperswil operated a pre-season evening "Charter Cruise" for the 'Aktion pro Raddampfer' AGM from Zurich Wollishofen on Tuesday 28th March
This "confirmed" all the repair work following her breakdown on Sunday 8th May 2016 had been successfully completed
18th March 2017
Lake Luzern
PS Unterwalden operated a rare winter evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" from Luzern at 2000 on Saturday 18th March
14th February 2017
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie and MPV Vevey operated special Evening Valentines Dinner Cruises from Geneva and Lausnne respectively on Tuesday 14th February
3rd February 2017
Lake Geneva
MPV Italie and MPV Vevey re-started the weekly winter-Friday Fondue Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Friday 3rd February
1st January 2017
All lakes
New Year's Day - Sunday 1st January
Lake Geneva
MPV Vevey and MPV Italie operated New Year's Day Lunch Cruises from Geneva and Lausanne respectively on Sunday 1st January
Lake Luzern
PS Uri operated a New Year's Day Lunch Cruise from Luzern at 1130 on Sunday 1st January
Lake Thun
PS Blümlisalp operated timetabled sailings 111-112-15-16 from Thun at 1010 and 1240 on Sunday 1st January
Earlier News


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Updated - Lakes Brienz, Geneva, Luzern, Thun, Zurich, Konstanz, Maggiore, Como, Garda 30th October 2020   e-mail   (c)1999-2020 John B Bird