Last year, 77 shipping accidents occurred in West Brandenburg. Of these, 65 accidents involved recreational shipping and twelve involved commercial shipping. The number was therefore down on 2024 with 89 accidents.
However, three people lost their lives last season and two others were injured. The year before, there had been six injuries.
The main cause of accidents is manoeuvring errors. "Many recreational skippers do not know their boat well enough, have too little experience or do not prepare their journey sufficiently," says a police statement.
Controls against alcohol and drugs
The waterway police have also announced that they will be carrying out more checks on drivers who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs in 2026. Heiko Schmidt, Head of the Water Police in the Western Police Directorate, emphasises the dangers: "Anyone who is not fit to drive is putting themselves and other road users at risk."
The same drink-drive limits apply on the water as on the road. From 0.5 per mille, driving a watercraft is prohibited. If you show signs of impairment, such as unsafe driving, you can be charged with a criminal offence from 0.3 per mille. From a blood alcohol level of 1.1 per mille, you are considered to be completely unfit to drive. The limits apply to all boat drivers, as well as rowers, canoeists and stand-up paddlers.
Speed checks planned
A second focus is on aggressive and speeding drivers. According to Schmidt, speeders jeopardise safety on the water. The suction and waves in particular create dangerous situations for swimmers and smaller watercraft. The police want to penalise and prevent these dangers with increased speed checks.
Engine engraving as theft protection
Outboard motors are one of the favourite targets of thieves. The water police recommend several protective measures. GPS trackers, which are concealed in the boat and on the engine, send a location signal to the owner in the event of theft. This method has already proved its worth several times.
Special motor locks are available from specialised dealers. Small motors should be dismantled and stored safely after every ride.
The water police also offer to engrave the engines. This makes it easier to identify them when they are recovered or deters thieves in advance. The next engraving sessions will take place on Saturday, 18 April 2026, at the Brandenburg an der Havel police station at Magdeburger Straße 52. And on Sunday, 19 April 2026, boat owners can take advantage of the offer on the premises of the water police in Potsdam, An der Pirschheide 11.
Both dates run from 9 am to 3 pm. Registration is possible until Thursday, 16 April. Interested parties can call 0331 9688-424 or send an e-mail to infowsp.pdwest@polizei.brandenburg.de. In addition to the engine, proof of ownership such as a purchase contract, small vehicle licence plate or boat registration certificate and proof of identity must be brought to the appointment.
About the Brandenburg Water Police
The waterway police of the Police Directorate West is stationed at two locations in Potsdam and Brandenburg an der Havel. The officers are responsible for safety on the waterways in the districts of Potsdam-Mittelmark, Havelland and Teltow-Fläming as well as in the cities of Brandenburg an der Havel and Potsdam - and therefore for 270 kilometres of federal waterways and 23 kilometres of navigable state waters.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
