Swimming in the Danube: Dangers overlooked? You need to know these rules!

Swimming in the Danube: Dangers overlooked? You need to know these rules!

During the summer, many people head to the waters to refresh themselves and enjoy the heat wave. But swimming in shipping lanes, such as the Danube, poses considerable risks. According to the information from Region current Swimming is prohibited 100 meters above and below bridges as well as near weirs, harbor facilities and lock areas. These are important regulations designed to prevent the perception of danger when bathing in such areas.

In fact, federal water resources legislation states that, in principle, swimming is not permitted in traffic waterways, although exceptions can be regulated by the federal states. These regulations apply particularly to artificial waterways, where bathing and swimming are usually strictly prohibited. This not only includes shipping canals, but also means for the safety of bathers that they should always inform themselves about local regulations, such as Water and Shipping Administration notes.

Dangers in the water

When spending time in the waters of shipping lanes, it is important to intentionally keep your distance from inland waterway vessels. These ships cannot easily stop or evade - they are often up to 100 meters long and reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. However, this theoretical security is deceptive because many dangers are invisible. Driftwood and other sharp objects hide underwater and no one can see them.

The inland navigation regulations (BinSchStrO) indicate that swimming in dangerous areas is not only dangerous, but also strictly prohibited. Violation of these regulations can have serious consequences, including expulsion and heavy fines of up to 200 euros. The water police have the authority to take action against administrative offenses. The water management administration therefore strongly advises against swimming in the traffic waterways.

Protect families and children

Not only adults, but especially parents, should talk to their children about the dangers of swimming in these waters. The dangers posed by currents and suction effects in locks and weirs should not be underestimated. Here too, the Waterways and Shipping Authority appeals to bathers' common sense. The fact that bridge jumping poses an equally significant danger in traffic highlights how important it is to take safety seriously.

In total, the nationwide waterway network extends over 7,476 kilometers, with 75 percent of these routes running on rivers and 25 percent on canals. The importance of these waterways for international freight traffic is unmistakable and the constant traffic of different types of ships is therefore critical. Access to the rivers and canals should therefore not be at the expense of human lives. If you want to swim in summer, you should definitely take the local regulations into account and inform yourself in advance - safety comes first. This also shows Shipping association website, which provides various information about the waterways.