Potsdam, June 21 – The summer sun brought many recreational boaters to Potsdam’s lakes and waterways, but for some, their journey ended abruptly due to police intervention. The Potsdam water police reported several incidents, including an overcrowded raft, intoxicated boat operators, and a motorboat that damaged a ferry’s cable system.
Overcrowded Raft and Drunk Captain Stopped on Havel
On Friday evening, the water police intercepted an overcrowded raft on the Potsdam Havel. The vessel, permitted for eight people, was carrying ten individuals. Furthermore, the raft’s operator registered a breath alcohol level of 0.82 per mille, exceeding the legal limit. The operator was prohibited from continuing the journey. A similar incident occurred over the weekend on Tiefen See in Potsdam, where another rented recreational boat operator was found with 0.56 per mille alcohol in his system. Both cases are being treated as administrative offenses.
Ferry Out of Service After Boat Accident
On Saturday, a larger motorboat became entangled with an underwater guide cable of a ferry. The motorboat’s anchor, which had not been properly retracted, snagged the cable system. This ferry connects the Potsdam-West district with the Hermannswerder peninsula. A spokesperson for the water police stated that the drive mechanism for the cable on the shore was damaged in the incident. The waterway was closed for approximately two and a half hours, and the ferry had to cease operations. The duration of the repairs remains unclear.
The Potsdam water police regularly conduct checks on recreational boats on the Havel, focusing on issues such as alcohol and drug consumption, as well as speeding, to ensure safety on the waterways.
Source: https://berliner-abendblatt.de/berlin-news/polizei-stoppt-potsdamer-flossfahrt-boot-beschadigt-faehre-id338131
