14 years after it sank, the charter yacht "Lady Jay" was discovered at the bottom of Lake Constance. The Romanshorn Ship Salvage Association located the wreck at a depth of around 170 metres between Langenargen and Horn. Association president Silvan Paganini found the ship using sonar technology and remote-controlled underwater drones, as the association announced on Wednesday night. The discovery marks the end of a long search for the motorboat, which sank in 2011.
Dramatic sinking during a storm
The "Lady Jay" was caught in a severe storm in the summer of 2011 with twelve passengers on board. The crew, consisting of eight men and four women, were travelling from Langenargen in Germany to the Swiss shore in heavy seas. A high wave caused the boat to capsize. Thanks to the quick intervention of a couple who happened to be on a sailing boat nearby, everyone was rescued. Four people suffering from hypothermia were taken to hospital.
Complex search with modern technology
The Romanshorn Ship Salvage Association, which has been dedicated to the salvage of historic ships and other sunken objects in Lake Constance since 2023, decided in March to set out in search of the wreck. After intensive research, the search radius was narrowed down. Ten potential objects were localised with the help of probes. These were searched one after the other until the "Lady Jay" finally came to light.
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There are no plans to salvage the wreck, as reported by the Schiffsbergeverein. The environmental impact was assessed as low by the responsible authorities in 2011. The "Lady Jay" will therefore continue to rest at the bottom of Lake Constance.
Significance for the maritime history of Lake Constance
The discovery of the "Lady Jay" is not only a technological success for the Romanshorn Ship Salvage Association, but also an important contribution to the maritime history of Lake Constance. It is a reminder of the dangers that can lurk even on an inland lake like Lake Constance.
