Does the new regulation mean that it can sometimes get dicey for sports and fishing boats when the catamaran approaches the boat at a top speed of 32 kilometres per hour? No, quite the opposite, says Catamaran Managing Director Christoph Witte. "The new right of way regulation makes it more predictable for everyone involved and avoids "unclear driving situations". He also emphasises that the new permit will not affect the already good and cooperative partnership between catamaran shipping, fishing and leisure users on the lake. "Safety and consideration always take priority for us, and that will remain the case with the green ball."
"It is clearly recognisable for all water sports enthusiasts that the catamaran now has priority on the entire route," writes the Lower Water Authority in its explanatory statement: "This contributes to clarity and increases the safety and ease of shipping traffic." The new water law licence for the catamaran connection is valid for ten years and includes a test phase of three years. An exception is made for professional fishermen. Under certain conditions, catamarans will still have to keep out of the way.
The Association of Baden Professional Fishermen on Lake Constance, among others, had raised concerns. The fishermen criticised the fact that they were unable to manoeuvre when working on the net and had no way of avoiding the catamaran. On the whole, however, co-operation on the lake works well and the catamaran has always shown consideration for the fishermen's work anyway, Elke Dilger, chairwoman of the association, puts this into perspective. This is also confirmed by Thomas Lang from the Konstanz fishing club: "I'm not aware of any dicey situations between catamarans and our club members," he says. Quite the opposite. "Sometimes the captains of the catamarans greet us over the loudspeakers and wish us good luck," he says.
The Bodensee catamaran shipping company has been operating the direct boat connection on Lake Constance between the two cities of Friedrichshafen and Constance since 2005. The ships need 52 minutes to cover the almost 23 kilometres.
