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

PS Uri operated a New Year's Eve gala cruise from Luzern at 1930 on Monday 31st December

28th December 2007

PS Uri operated an evening cruise from Luzern at 1921 on Friday 28th December

23rd December 2007

PS Montreux operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Lausanne at 1200 to the Montreux Christmas Market on Sunday 23rd December

PS Uri operated an Advent brunch cruise from Luzern at 1030 on Sunday 23rd December

22nd December 2007

PS Uri operated an evening Advent cruise from Luzern at 1921 on Saturday 22nd December

16th December 2007

PS Montreux operated a Christmas Lunch Cruise from Lausanne at 1200 to the Montreux Christmas Market on Sunday 16th December

9th December 2007

PS Uri operated an Advent brunch cruise from Luzern at 1030 on Sunday 9th December

8th December 2007

PS Uri operated an evening Advent cruise from Luzern at 1921 on Saturday 8th December

1st December 2007

Euro 08
Unusually for a mid-winter date PS Stadt Luzern PS Unterwalden and PS Uri were all chartered for a very short evening sail from Luzern to a special event at the Verkehrshaus Lido on the evening of Saturday 1st December 2007
It is probably more than 50 years since 3 paddle steamers were last in service together on the same day - in December !

30th November 2007

This proposed charter sailing was CANCELLED
PS Uri was originally planned to operate a special evening fondue charter sailing from Luzern at 1915 on Friday 30th November
It is understood this was a result of the regular Sunday and Monday timetabled sailings during the early-winter timetable

15th November 2007

The first strong winds of the winter required MPV Vevey to be pressed into timetabled service on Thursday 15th November to cover the morning and late-afternoon/evening Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service vice the large mv Lausanne which is considered unsuitable in such conditions
The same arrangement also applied on Friday 16th November

4th November 2007

MPV Vevey took over the winter Sunday Lausanne to Château-de-Chillon sailings 900-901 followed by two round trips to Evian-les-Bains commencing Sunday 4th November
This was instead of the previously advertised sailings from Geneva

Unfortunately, as a result of the revised later start of the annual overhaul of mv Léman - the CGN's original plan to use the motor paddle vessel to replace mv Lausanne on the peak-hour weekday Evian-les-Bains ferry sailings between Monday 29th October and Tuesday 13th November whilst she has a wine-ship charter was cancelled
as were the plans for her to cover the early-November evening Fondue Cruises

31st October 2007

For the second time in two months PS Simplon was in trouble - this time she came into heavy contact with the wall adjoining Geneva Mont Blanc pier in strong winds on Wednesday 31st October and damaged her bow - apparantly taking on board some lake water
Fortunately an internal bulkhead prevented it spreading into the ship's engine
Damage was estimated at SF 50,000 and after "supporting" the the evening "bapt�me officiel" (naming ceremony) of the new Navibus mv Geneve
The paddle steamer subsequently made her own way to Ouchy dock for repairs
Ironically she should have already been laid-up for the winter, but for the last-minute change of roster !

28th October 2007

PS Uri unusually took over the Winter Sunday sailings 19-26 from Luzern at 1321 commencing on Sunday 28th October vice the advertised motor vessel
In addition the paddle streamer also operated the weekday sailings 15-14-21-22 departing from Luzern at 1201 and 1421 on Mondays ONLY commencing Monday 29th October
This arrangement continued each Sunday and Monday until the start of the special "Advent/Christmas" programme

30th September 2007

PS Simplon operated six "Honneur � la vapeur" mini-cruises from Geneva on Sunday 30th September commencing at 1105

22nd September 2007

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Fondue Cruise from Thun at 1850 on Saturday 22nd September

15th September 2007

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1850 on Saturday 15th September - this replaced the cruise which was originally planned for Friday 10th August

10th September 2007

PS Hohentwiel operated two Cruises to Meersburg from Konstanz at 1150 and 1415 on Monday 10th September

8th September 2007

Lake Garda

MPV Italia operated a full-day Regatta Cruise cruises from Gargnano on Saturday 8th September

4th September 2007

Lake Brienz

As PS Lötschberg was approaching Bönigen operting the return afternoon sailing 70 on Tuesday 4th September it became apparent that all was not well in the engine room as the engineer's mate was seen talking to the engineer with very oily hands and pointing forward - a short time later the paddle steamer arrived at the pier where some passengers disembarked and the gangplanks were pulled back as normal
Next the engineer was seen to climb to the bridge and this was followed by an announcement that there would be a short delay, but some ten minutes later the gangplanks were put back and another announcement requested all passengers to disembark and take a bus into Interlaken
The bus driver's facial expression, when he rounded the corner to find approx 60 passengers for his next service run, was a picture, but he allowed everyone on board and made no attempt to check tickets !
Do you have any further information ?

Following completion of her timetabled sailings in the Upper Lake PS Simplon was planned to sail light to Geneva to take up the first of her autumn charter sailings on Tuesday 4th September
It was quite stormy as the ship arrived at Geneva P�quis for her charter cruise and she missed the pier in the storm and touched the pier fenders violently, two of which broke and she sustained a hole in her hull - fortunately above the waterline
The special cruise was cancelled and PS Simplon subsequently returned to Ouchy dock on Thursday 6th September for repairs
The paddle steamer completed her repairs on Friday 14th September and returned to service for another charter on Saturday 15th September

26th August 2007

Whilst returning to Lausanne on Saturday 25th August on sailing 404, the engineer on PS Montreux noticed a small leak of vapor on the pipe leading from the boiler to the engine (pistons) - as the vapor is at 340� Celsius and the pipe very close to the wooden floor of the main deck, this was a potential fire risk and decision was taken to investigate before continuing operation next morning
That was done on Sunday 26th August and her sailings covered by mv Henry-Dunant - the leak was located on a joint/plug of a temperature sensor on the pipe and repaired on Monday morning, before operating a test run at mid-day with the aim of returning the paddle steamer to service for the evening sailing to Yvoire
Unfortunately, as the leak was not completly eliminated, further investigation were required which led to the cancellation of the evening sailings 403-404 as the motor vessel had a pre-arranged evening charter sailing - however dinner was served on board the static paddle steamer at Ouchy
Tuesday 28th August was used to cool down the boiler and the engine to allow removal of the insulation around the pipe where another minor leak was found and fixed
The paddle steamer returned to service on Wednesday 29th August

14th August 2007

Lake Como

ex-PS mv Milano operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Colico at 2110 on Tuesday 14th August

10th August 2007

CANCELLED - floods - high water level
PS Blümlisalp was planned to operate an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1930 on Friday 10th August but this had to be cancelled along with all other sailings on the lake due to flooding resulting in too high lake water levels
The Jazz Cruise was subsequently re-dated to Saturday 15th September

9th August 2007

PS Hohentwiel operated an International Cruise from Arbon to Lindau at 1155 on Thursday 9th August

Lake Brienz

All sailings on Lake Brienz were suspended due to flooding (excessively high lake level) from Thursday 9th August to Saturday 11th August inclusive with only motor vessels operating on Sunday 12th August
After the normal Monday off-service, PS Lötschberg returned to service on Tuesday 14th August

All sailings on Lake Thun were suspended due to flooding (excessively high lake level) from Thursday 9th August to Sunday 12th August inclusive and the Friday evening Jazz Cruise was re-dated to Saturday 15th September
PS Blümlisalp returned to service on Monday 13th August

4th August 2007

PS Stadt Zürich unusually operated the morning 0955 full length departure from Zurich to Schmerikon and return (sailings 103-104) vice the regular motor vessel on Saturday 4th August
With the large mv Helvetia joining mv Panta Rhei "out of action" following a gear-box problem on the Thursday evening cruise earlier in the week, the remaining operational ships had to be juggled-round to cover the advertised sailings as best they could

1st August 2007

All lakes

Swiss National Day - Wednesday 1st August

PS Simplon operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Lausanne depart 2030 on Wednesday 1st August

PS Hohentwiel operated two International Cruises from Rorschach to Lindau at 1155 and 1450 followed by an evening Jazz Cruise from Arbon at 1900 on Wednesday 1st August

Fireworks at Brunnen
All five paddle steamers paraded in convoy followed by 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 some of the motor vessels

In additional to the normal timetabled sailings PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an Evening Dinner Cruise from Zurich at 2015

31st July 2007

The 100 year old MPV Vevey operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from the principal Upper Lake piers on Tuesday 31st July

20th July 2007

PS Blümlisalp operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Thun at 1930 on Friday 20th July

17th July 2007

PS Uri operated an evening Music Cruise from Flüelen at 1940 on Tuesday 17th July

8th July 2007

PS Simplon broke down twice on sailing 201 on Sunday 8th July with generator problems - after departing Montreux approximately 30 minutes late, she sailed direct to Lausanne
In consequence the lunchtime Haut-Lac Express sailings 202-203 were cancelled but quick repairs ensured a return to service with the 1530 Lausanne to Montreux and return (sailings 922-923)
However all her sailings were covered by mv Chablais the following day

7th July 2007

Lake Brienz

PS Lötschberg operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Interlaken at 1930 on Saturday 7th July

Both PS Stadt Zürich and PS Stadt Rapperswil operated Evening Fireworks Cruises from Zurich at 1900 and 1920 respectively on Saturday 7th July
In consequence several timetabled sailings were covered by a motor vessel

6th July 2007

Both PS Stadt Zürich and PS Stadt Rapperswil operated Evening Fireworks Cruises from Zurich at 1900 and 1920 respectively on Friday 6th July
In consequence several timetabled sailings were covered by a motor vessel

5th July 2007

Lake Como

ex-PS mv Milano broke down just before 1400 with a serious steering problem on Thursday 5th July and collided with a private taxi-boat, then with the floating swimming pool of the Grand Hotel Tremezzo - she was later towed to Menaggio by the same taxi-boat (the two ships fortunately did not sustain any serious hull damage and no people were injuried)
After clearance by the police a few days later she was towed to Tavernola dock to be repaired
She was back in service with a special evening sailing from Como to Bellagio on Wednesday 18th July and her normal timetables sailings commencing Sunday 22nd July

29th June 2007

PS Stadt Rapperswil operated an evening Jazz Cruise to the Blues and Jazz Festival at Rapperswil departing Zurich at 1800 on Friday 29th June - this year it broke the " tradition" of operating on the Saturday evening of the Festival

25th June 2007

PS Rhône delayed her start of service until 1230 with a boiler burner problem - consequently the Haut-Lac Express sailings 200-201 on Monday 25th June were cancelled

PS Stadt Zürich unusually operated the 1130 departure from Zurich to Rapperswil and return (sailings 107-108)
- Monday 25th June was the day of the AGM, but her amended sailing times did not appear to fit in with the meeting
Do you know why she exchanged rosters with mv Limmat ?

23rd June 2007

Lake Como

PS Concordia operated an evening Fireworks Cruise from Como at 2000 to Isola Comacina on Saturday 23rd June

7th June 2007

PS Hohentwiel operated an International Cruise from Rorschach to Lindau at 1450 on Thursday 7th June

30th May 2007

PS Rhône was out of service at Ouchy dock on Wednesday 30th May with blocked tubes so her "Haut-Lac Express" sailings 200-201-202-203-922-923 were unusually covered by PS Montreux as PS Simplon and the standby motor vessels all had private charters

27th May 2007

PS Unterwalden broke down with generator problems on Whit Sunday 27th May at the Verkehrshaus-Lido pier whilst operating her first sailing of 2007 after just 10 minutes in service
All her sailings for the day as well as on Whit Monday 28th May Friday 1st June and Sunday 3rd June were covered by motor vessels
She returned to service on Sunday 10th June

PS Hohentwiel operated two Cruises to Meersburg from Konstanz at 1150 and 1415 on Whit Sunday 27th May

26th May 2007

PS Hohentwiel operated an evening Jazz Cruise from Konstanz on Whit Saturday 26th May

6th May 2007

PS Schiller unusually operated the first of three Spring Sunday afternoon teatime sailings 159-162 from Luzern to Küssnacht am Rigi on Sunday 6th May instead of the 'traditional' teatime sailing to Vitznau

1st May 2007

PS Hohentwiel operated International Cruises between Arbon and Lindau followed by a special 'one-way' sailing at 1745 from Arbon to Rorschach in connection with a steam hauled train from Zurich on Tuesday 1st May

29th April 2007

PS Stadt Zürich operated a special 90 minute Morning Cruise from Zurich at 1130 on Sunday 29th April

PS Stadt Rapperswil broke down at Insel Ufenau with boiler problems on Sunday 29th April - passengers were transferred to other services - the paddle steamer was subsequently towed back to the dock at Zurich Wollishofen by a motor vessel
She was back in service on May Day Tuesday 1st May
If you have any further information - please e-mail me so the information may be posted for the benefit of other visitors to this website

15th April 2007

Owing to ongoing problems with the new mv Panta Rhei resulting in her withdrawal from service after just two weeks in public service PS Stadt Rapperswil was rushed into service early to provide partial cover for her commencing Sunday 15th April

6th April 2007

The large PS Simplon unusually opened the spring Upper Lake sailings from Lausanne on Good Friday 6th April and repeated the same sailings on Easter Saturday 7th April Easter Sunday 8th April and Easter Monday 9th April

On the first return sailing 911 on Good Friday around 1445 she was delayed at Cully due to water in her low pressure cylinder - after about 30 minutes the cylinder was emptied and the remainder of the day's sailings operated late, ending in Lausanne at about 1900

1st March 2007

Owing to strong winds MPV Vevey was pressed into timetabled service on Thursday 1st March to cover the busy evening Lausanne to Evian-les-Bains ferry service vice mv Lausanne which is considered unsuitable in such conditions
She then continued to operate her scheduled evening Fondue Cruise from Lausanne at 1930 but paused at Morges to allow passengers to enjoy their meal sheltered by the pier

22nd February 2007

Lake Neuchâtel

The 46 metre PS Neuchâtel which has been out of use since 1969 was eventually sold to the Trivapor organisation on Thursday 22nd February 2007
With the Maffei steam engine No.576 previously installed in PS Ludwig Fessler on Lake Chiemsee (Bavaria) until 1973 already purchased by the organisation, it is now 'all systems go' to resore the paddle steamer to operational status as quickly as possible

4th January 2007