Passenger traffic on the Rhine No room for cruise ships at the Bastei

Bad Godesberg · Don’t expect river cruisers to be docking outside the Bastei anytime soon. A look at the situation in Bad Godesberg has revealed that it doesn’t make sense due to cost, space and convenience factors.

 Here is where the FDP party proposed to add a jetty for river cruisers. But the position on shore near the Bastei is not long enough.

Here is where the FDP party proposed to add a jetty for river cruisers. But the position on shore near the Bastei is not long enough.

Foto: Google Earth/Geobasis

After proofing whether or not it was feasible for river cruisers to dock in Bad Godesberg, the city said that as of now, it would not happen. The possibility was examined at the urging of the FDP party. The only passenger cruiser that could be considered was the Köln Düsseldorfer Rhein Ship (KD) docking at Rheinallee, according to the administration. Other modern cruisers are too big for the spaces available and there are no other options between Plittersdorf and Mehlem.

But the city says that even at Rheinallee, it would be problematic. If a river cruiser would stop at the Bastei, the stern would protrude into the ramp area of the Niederdollendorf ferry. This could "lead to conflicts with the ferry service". At the next stop upstream for the Siebengebirge cruiser (PSS), this would also be problematic as it is only available temporarily for limited use. "However, the KD leases the jetty to cabin cruisers of a permissible length, in particular for overnight docking," says the administration.

The KD management also rejects the political initiative. In Königswinter, just across the river, there are two jetties for 135-meter boats and one for 110-meters long cruisers. "Another jetty could be built there shortly." For that reason, the need in Bad Godesberg is "rather low". As well, it is difficult to get to the Rhine shore by bus, making the Rheinallee rather a second rate location.

Low water levels along the Bad Godesberg Rhine also influence the thinking of the Bonn passenger ship management. If a new dock would be installed, they would have to dig out the riverbed regularly to make it accessible, and this would be expensive. The management also refers to the poor accessibility of the Rhine shore by bus or truck, one needed to bring passengers and the other to supply the ships. They conclude that it does not make sense to put another jetty in Bad Godesberg.

At the moment, there are several docks in Bad Godesberg, suitable for the smaller passenger cruisers that serve the area.

Orig. text: jab

Translation: ck

Meistgelesen
Neueste Artikel
Zum Thema
Aus dem Ressort