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PS Piemonte (Lake Garda)  photo: Andreas Hofer The paddle steamer stands at Laveno pier waiting to take passengers off a special Historical Train from Milan on a special sailing to Isola Bella and Isola Superiore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Concordia (Lake Como) CAN YOU HELP ? Unconfirmed reports also "suggest" as a result of a severe shortage of operational motor vessels the paddle steamer had to be pressed into service to cover the "lunch-time" sailing from Como on Friday 23rd June (presumably in similar tmes to Saturday 1st July) Then to add "icing onto the cake" when mv Bisbino also broke down at Como the following morning, the paddle steamer was quickly crewed and covered her planned evening fireworks cruise from Varenna and other mid-lake piers to the annual St John's Feast at Isola Comacina (not held since the start of Covid) Any confirmation or other information - especially if supported by a photo(s) - would be gratefully recieved !!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Stadt Luzern (Lake Luzern)   photos: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer approaches Beckenried on her twice-weekly evening "Sunset Cruise" sailing 33 from Luzern Unusually this was her only public sailing of the day as she operated a private charter earlier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MPV G Zanardelli (Lake Garda)  photo: Leila Blythe Despite a costly re-build, a couple of years ago, the motor paddle vessel spends most of her time moored at Peschiera harbour "on standby" It is almost unbelievable that she will only operate public sailings on just four afternoons in 2023 - the first of which is planned for Friday 14th July If YOU are aware of any date she has actually covered another member of the fleet - please email me with the details so the information can be included on this website for the benefit of other visitors to it | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MPV Italie and PS Simplon (Lake Geneva)   photos: Robert Monch Between 1700 and 1730 Coppet pier is busy with first MPV Italie (on sailing 309) then PS Simplon (on sailing 105) returning their passengers to Geneva from Hermance and Lausanne respectively | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Uri (Lake Luzern)  photo: Philip C The paddle steamer unusually operated a private charter from the small Hermitage pier (normally used by only the smaller motor vessels) leaving there at 1827 in heavy rain due to the thunder and lightning storm which had begun half an hour earlier | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MPV G Zanardelli (Lake Garda)  photo: Harold Blythe The lightly loaded motor paddle vessel passes Sirmione on a rare charter sailing She is only planned to operate four special public sailings this year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Gallia (Lake Luzern)  photo: Nicholas Lars Carrel The paddle steamer stands 'tied up' at the pier "ready for action" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MPV Italia (Lake Garda)  photo: Harold Blythe The motor paddle vessel approaches Riva and the end of sailing 74 from Malcesine before taking her lunchtime break | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MPV Italia (Lake Garda) photo: Harold Blythe The motor paddle vessel approaches Riva and the end of sailing 74 from Malcesine before taking her lunchtime break | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Stadt Luzern (Lake Luzern)  photo: Philip C The paddle steamer approaches Beckenried on her regular morning 'Gotthard Panorama Express' sailing 13 from Luzern to Flüelen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Rhône (Lake Geneva)  photo: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer crosses the lake from Rolle (Switzerland) to Yvoire (France) on sailing 101 from Lausanne to Geneva as seen from passing PS Savoie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Savoie (Lake Geneva) 
 pictures: Coppet and Nyon webcams The well loaded paddle steamer departs Coppet on sailing 102 to Lausanne before joining the "queue" at Nyon for Yvoire From the following day her larger sister PS Simplon takes over the popular morning sailing 102 from Geneva..... .....as she becomes the "standby" ship for the rest of the month | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Simplon (Lake Geneva)  picture: Nyon webcam The paddle steamer loads passengers at Nyon for her special pre-season "Jazz Cruise" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Simplon (Lake Geneva)  photo: Robert Monch No it's not a 'steam leak from the boiler' ! The paddle steamer passes in fromt of the Geneva fountain on a pre-season Charter sailing.......... ..........prior to taking over the daily timetabled sailing from Geneva to Lausanne from her smaller sister - PS Savoie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS La Suisse (Lake Geneva)  photo: Jean Vernet The paddle steamer departs Montreux on sailing 900 - her morning "clockwise" circuit of the "Upper Lake" From the start of the Peak Summer timetable in July she will operate "anti-clockwise" instead | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Neuchâtel (Lake Neuchâtel)  picture: Neuchâtel webcam After missing the previous Sunday due to a charter, the paddle steamer departs Morat/Murten harbour on her return sailing 24 which is part of her weekly Sunday Lunch Cruise from Neuchâtel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Unterwalden (Lake Luzern)  photo: Robert Horlacher Since "Covid" the number of passengers having a meal on the weekend "Sunset Cruise has resulted in her much larger sister PS Stadt Luzern normally being allocated to the evening sailings 33-36 However, with the flagship operating a special "Candlelight Dinner Cruise" PS Unterwalden departs Hertenstein on sailing 33 whilst temporarily back on her full "traditional" roster on Saturday 10th June | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Hohentwiel (Lake Konstanz)  photo: Paul Scheuchzer The paddle steamer approaches Friedrichshafen having set off from Wasserburg on Thursday 8th June as part of the "Two-Ship" afternoon cruise along with mv Oesterreich The Swiss based passengers returned to Arbon on the paddle steamer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Neuchâtel (Lake Neuchâtel)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer stands at Bienne/Biel prior to returning to Neuchâtel on sailing 2 which is part of her weekly visit to the far end of the lake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Patria (Lake Como)  Following the signing of a multi-muillion Euro contract, the paddle steamer was towed by mv Bisbino across the lake from Villa Olmo pier (where she had been moored for many years whilst various schemes were developed, then failed) to the Tavernola dock (where she will be re-built ready for regular NLM service - commencing in 2025) She was accompanied for the crossing by PS Concordia with the officials who had earlier signed the contract on board | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Simplon (Lake Geneva)  photo: Jean Vernet The paddle steamer departs Montreux on sailing 900 for Le Bouveret whilst covering the 'Lausanne to the Upper Lake' roster vice her sister to visit Ouchy dock for three days for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Gallia (Lake Luzern)  photo: Robert Horlacher Its "FULL ASTERN" as the paddle steamer departs Flüelen on her return sailing 44 back to Luzern At this time of the year this 'extra' sailing in the Upper Lake only operates on Sundays, but will become daily during the peak-summer period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PS Savoie (Lake Geneva)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer approaches Morges on her return sailing 105 from Lausanne back to Geneva The larger PS Simplon takes over this sailing from Monday 19th June for the rest of the summer season | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All five paddle steamers (Lake Luzern)  
 
 photos: Paul Scheuchzer This was the first day of the 2023 summer timetable resulting in all five paddle steamers operating timetabled sailings together on the same day.......... Gallia Schiller Stadt Luzern Uri Unterwalden
| PS Rhône (Lake Geneva)  photo: Jean Vernet The paddle steamer stands at Lausanne prior to operating her sailing 101 to Geneva
| PS Hohentwiel (Lake Konstanz)  picture: Rorschach webcam The paddle steamer operated an International Cruise from Lindau (Germany) to Rorschach
| PS La Suisse (Lake Geneva)  photo: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer approaches Rivaz/St-Saphorin on her final sailing 205 of the day She is now planned to make a quick "pre-season" visit to Ouchy dock during which time her roster will be covered by PS Simplon
| MPV Vevey (Lake Geneva)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The motor paddle vessel sails between Le Bouveret and St Gingolph on her early-afternoon "Upper Lake Circle Cruise" sailing 506 as seen from the passing PS La Suisse
| PS Hohentwiel (Lake Konstanz)  
 photos: Olivier Braissant The paddle steamer arrives at Arbon for the "Nautic Classics" Festival Later two views on board on the afternoon "Ship"/old Post Bus" cruise
| MPV Italia (Lake Garda) 
 pictures: Limone webcam The motor paddle vessel has been observed in service MUCH earlier than previous years "suggesting" she will cover her usual Riva based roster (on a 'non-advertised' basis) for the while of the summer She was observed at Limone on sailings 75 and 78 Click here for a draft timetable - so far, saiings based ONLY on observations Please email me if you have any confimed information
| 7 paddle steamers (Lake Geneva)  picture: Morges Webcam All seven operational paddle steamers line up mid-lake ready to sail towards Morges during part of the "Naval Parade" Further photos to follow
| MPV Italie (Lake Geneva)  photo: Robert Monch The motor paddle vessel crosses the lake at at Geneva between and Pâquis piers on her outward weekend afternoon sailing 308 to Yvoire
| PS Uri and PS Unterwalden (Lake Luzern)  photo: Robert Horlacher PS Unterwalden approaches Seedorf and is about to 'double-bank with PS Uri prior to the "Friends AGM"
| PS Savoie (Lake Geneva)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer arrives "light" at Geneva from Ouchy Harbour ready for the Naval Parade on Sunday 14th May prior to taking over her usual Geneva based roster on the following Monday
| PS Neuchâtel (Lake Neuchâtel)  photo: Alain Vuistiner  photo: Ernst Mischler The paddle steamer sets off from Neuchâtel to join the delayed from 2022 "150 years of the LNM" Parade" and later making a "manoeuvre" crossing mv La Béroche
| PS Stadt Luzern (Lake Luzern)  picture: Weggis webcam The well-loaded paddle steamer approaches Weggis on sailing 13 from Luzern to Flüelen Unfortunately on return to Luzern she had to sail direct to the dock for repairs to her generator which meant she missed sailing on the Sunday
| PS Blümlisalp (Lake Thun)  photo: Lukas Bruckner The paddle steamer returned to service with her usual round trip from Thun to Interlaken and is seen shortly after leaving Faulensee on her return sailing 16
| PS Neuchâtel (Lake Neuchâtel)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer waits at Neuchâtel to operate her first sailing of 2023 - a special post-AGM sailing
| PS Rhône (Lake Geneva)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer arrives back at Geneva on sailing 321 at the end of her morning round trip along the "Petit-Lac" (Litttle Lake) to Yvoire (France)
| PS La Suisse (Lake Geneva)  photo: Alain Vuistiner The paddle steamer rests for the night at Lausanne after another day sailing "Round the Upper Lake"
| PSs Stadt Rapperswil (Lake Zurich) May Day  picture: Zurich webcam May Day s considered a local holuday at Zurich so the paddle steamer set off early from the dock in pouring rain in order to operate the extra 0920 sailing 101 from Zurich to Rapperswil
| PSs Stadt Luzern and PS Uri (Lake Luzern) 
 photos: Daniel Eichenberger PS Stadt Luzern departs Gersau on her Spring sailing 13 form Luzern to Flüelen shortly before PS Uri approaches on her return sailing 18
| PS Rhône (Lake Geneva) 
 photos: Alain Vuistiner The first weekday of the Spring Timetable saw PS Rhône allocated to the "Petit-Lac" (Little Lake) roster which is two round trips from Geneva to Yvoire (France) She is initially seen at Yvoire waiting to depart for Geneva on her last sailing 327 of the day and later shortly after departing Coppet
| PS Rhône (Lake Geneva)  photos: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer approaches Yvoire on outward sailing 102 from Geneva These days it is part of a much shorter roster covering just the western half of the lake as far as Lausanne whereas 25 years ago.......... ..........she would operate the daily "Grand Race" to the far end of the lake at - an eleven and
| PS Stadt Luzern (Lake Luzern) 
 photos: Robert Horlacher Owing to a large tree immrdiately ahead of the pier. the paddle steamer unusually had to back from Treib before crossing the lake to Brunnen whilst operating sailing 13 from Luzern to Flüelen She is seen from the ascending Treib to Seelisberg funicular railway
| PS La Suisse (Lake Geneva)  photo: Jean Vernet The paddle steamer approaches Vevey for the first time in 2023 whilst operating sailing 900 from Lausanne
| PSs La Suisse and Rhône (Lake Geneva) 
 photos: Alain Vuistiner On the first day of the Spring Timetable PS La Suisse arrives at Rivaz on her first clockwise sailing 900 of 2023 all "Round the Upper Lake Later PS Rhône stands at Lausanne before returning to Geneva on the return leg sailing 105
| PS Rhône (Lake Geneva) 
 photos: Robert Monch The paddle steamer arrives "light" at Geneva having completed her winter overhaul at Ouchy harbour - ready to start her 2023 season the following day
| PS Uri (Lake Luzern) 
 photos: Daniel Eichenberger The paddle steamer has left Luzern and is seen passing the Meggenhorn on her daily mid-week sailing 13 to Flüelen
| MPV Vevey (Lake Geneva)   photos: Alain Vuistiner MPV Vevey sailed "light" at short notice from Le Bouveret to Lausanne to cover several Ferry Runs to Evian-les-Bains vice the larger PS La Suisse which in the end undertook further "trials" prior to commencing daily service on Saturday 22nd April She is seen waiting to operate the afternoon "ferry" sailing 1117 to France All this was to allow mv Ville-de-Genève to go to Geneva after her morning commuter "ferry" sailings to tow MPV Helvétie back to Oucky harbour
| PS La Suisse (Lake Geneva) Ouchy Dock "Open Day" 
 photos: Alain Vuistiner 
 photos: Paul Scheuchzer PS La Suisse made five short sailing into the lake as well as the dry dock and several other paddle steamers being available for viewing
| PSs Stadt Luzern and PS Uri (Lake Luzern) First Day of two paddle steamers in service together 
 photos: Daniel Eichenberger PS Stadt Luzern departs Gersau on her sailing 13 form Luzern to Flüelen followed shortly by PS Uri on her return sailing 18
| PS Stadt Luzern (Lake Luzern) 
 pictures: Luzern webcam The paddle steamer stands at Pier No.1 at Luzern in the pouring rain waiting to operate her first sailing 13 to Flüelen prior to an evening "Candlelight Dinner Cruise"
| PS Concordia (Lake Como)  photo: Jacopo Memeo The paddle steamer sets off from Lezzeno on her erturn sailing 11 from Menaggio back to Como
| PS Uri (Lake Luzern)  picture: Luzern webcamo The paddle steamer sets off from Luzern on her first sailing of 2023...... ......a special Easter Lunch Cruise sailing 606
| PS Concordia (Lake Como)  photo: Daniel Eichenberger The paddle steamer approaches Varenna on the new sailing 11 from Menaggio back to Como on her fist day in service during 2023
| PS Stadt Rapperswil (Lake Zurich)  photo: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer returns light to dock after operating the April weekend only sailing 111-112 sailing from Zurich to Rapperswil and return
| PS Stadt Rapperswil (Lake Zurich)  photo: Daniel Eichenberger The paddle steamer waits at Zurich to depart on her first sailing 111 of the season to Rapperswil
| PS Stadt Rapperswil (Lake Zurich)  photo: Daniel Eichenberger The paddle steamer stands at Wollishofen dock ready to start regular timetabled sailings commencing the following day
| PS Uri (Lake Luzern)  photo: Robert Horlacher The paddle steamer made a full length "test" sailing from Luzern prior to re-entering service on a special Easter Sunday Lunch Cruise She took the opportunity to deliver some refurbished furniture and benches to the SGV bistro at Flüelen, before calling at Seedorf on the way back to check the pier - which will be used on the day of the Steamer Friends’ AGM
| ex-PS Wilhelm Tell (Lake Luzern)  
 photos: Hans Eichenberger The former paddle steamer "sails" acoss the lake from the SGV Dock to the Schweizerhofquai Pier No.9 to return to her normal static restaurant duties Look on the port side and it is essy to see how she did it without her engine !!!
| PS Stadt Rapperswil (Lake Zurich) "Aktion pro Raddampfer" AGM  photo: Daniel Eichenberger The paddle steamer stands at Wollishofen dock ready for the "Friends" AGM which was held on board, afterwhich she made a short non-landing specialsailing This was the first sailing with passengers since completion of her major re-build last year
| MPV Vevey (Lake Geneva)  picture: Vevey webcam MPV Vevey sets off from Vevey on her weekly winter Sunday Lunch Cruise sailing 534 round the "Upper Lake"
| MPV Italie (Lake Geneva)  photo: Robert Monch  photo: Jean Vernet The MPV Italie arrives at Nyon on her weekly sailing 330 from Geneva whilst at the other end of the lake MPV Vevey arrives at Montreux on her weekly "Upper Lake Circle Lunch Cruise" sailing 534 from Le Bouveret and Vevey
| SIX Paddle Steamers (Lake Luzern)  
 photos: Daniel Eichenberger Memories of 1970 SIX paddle steamers (count the funnels to be sure !) stand at Luzern dock on a wet and windy, winter Friday The former SGV ship PS Wilhelm, Tell had made a rare visit to the floating dock for under-water hull repairs and was waiting for the wind to drop so she could sail across the to the Schweizerhofquai MPV Italia and MPV G Zanardelli (Lake Garda)  photo: Beat Leuthardt A rare occasion when both motor paddle vessels operated "full-length" timetables sailings vice car ferries on the same day ! They are seen passing each other |
2nd October 2023
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John B Bird
