Rowboat in Hemishofen tilts after a collision with a shipping sign

Rowboat in Hemishofen tilts after a collision with a shipping sign

On May 17, 2025, an incident occurred in Hemishofen, Switzerland, which underlines the importance of correct estimate of currents in shipping. A rowboat crew, consisting of a 67-year-old man and his wife, collided with a shipping sign, which led to considerable damage to her boat. Fortunately, the two inmates, which were on the Hochrheinstrasse between Stein am Rhein and Schaffhausen, were lucky and were able to save themselves on the shore.

The collision occurred when the helmsman misjudged the current and collided with the striking shipping sign No. 57. As a result of the impact, the rowboat ran full of water, capsized and got stuck on the Wiffe. The total damage to the rowboat, a 2-series model, is noted as total damage. A team of the fire brigade, consisting of six men, and a private ski player were necessary to recover the boat.

legal consequences and safety precautions

After the incident, the helmsman of the crew is reported to the Schaffhausen public prosecutor. This raises questions about shipping security and correct compliance with the regulations that are important in shipping. Shipping signs, such as the character affected, serve to mark waterways and ensure that the boats remain in the specified fairground zones. The lateral system that is common in Europe provides for a certain labeling through colors and shapes to ensure compliance with the traffic regulations on waterways.

The lateral system A, which is used in Switzerland, differentiates between taxboard and port borders. Taxboard tonnes are green with a pointed top sign, while borders are equipped with a blunt top sign. This is important because the direction of travel for boats in this region comes from "coming from sea". Therefore, the orientation on the tons should also be taken into account when driving in internal waterways in order to avoid collisions such as the one mentioned.

The incidents, as occurred in Hemishofen, illustrate the need for a comprehensive training for boat operators and the importance of a precise perception and assessment of the flow relationships. Both training and the use of shipping signs are essential components to avoid such accidents in the future. Further information on the functions and types of shipping signs can be found on the pages of Skipper .

The quick and independent rescue of the inmates testifies to a certain experience, but serious accidents could possibly be avoided by such a collision in the future if educational work is still being set up so that similar incidents no longer occur.

For more details on the incident in Hemishofen, see Fireworld .