Töwerland water taxis shut down: safety deficiencies cause chaos!

Töwerland water taxis shut down: safety deficiencies cause chaos!

The situation surrounding the Töwerland water taxis to the popular East Frisian island of Juist has worsened dramatically. The five water taxis are currently stuck in the port due to significant safety deficiencies. This was decided by the trade association for transport, which shipowner Jörg Schmidt interprets as a kind of “retirement” from the authorities. He expresses concern and describes the whole situation as a “catastrophe” ( ndr.de ). Schmidt is not entirely innocent of this dilemma: there have been disputes between him and the authorities in the past, particularly regarding the crew members.

The stricter safety regulations implemented by the Federal Ministry of Transport in November 2022, combined with missing documents such as Polish maritime radio number and ship's crew certificate, contributed to this massive shutdown. The passengers had to be rebooked onto the Frisia Reederei ferries, while Schmidt is trying to partially replace the fleet with a chartered boat from Spiekeroog. Ultimately, it's a hard blow for both him and his 20 or so employees, because according to Schmidt, the loss in sales amounts to 200,000 euros per month.

Safety concerns and tragic incidents

This shutdown also comes in the shadow of a tragic incident in 2022, when four people, including a 12-year-old boy, died in a similar accident off Terschelling. There have also been various incidents with the Töwerland boats in the recent past, ranging from an engine failure to running aground on a sandbank. Despite these challenges, Schmidt has made improvements: “All Töwis are now equipped with two engines,” he assures ( ndr.de ).

The need for safety at sea is more relevant than ever. Christian Bubenzer from the professional association admits how important it is to ensure the safety of passengers at all times, especially after past incidents. A few days ago, new information regarding an emergency at Schuitengat became known. There was a collision between a fast ferry and a water taxi, prompting the deployment of rescue workers and an investigation ( stegfunk.de ). This tragic event shows us once again how important safety precautions are in shipping.

The further procedure

The hope of an early re-registration of the Töwerland fleet dies last. Schmidt has already signaled that he wants to continue operating his fleet under the Polish flag, as this reduces the requirements and requirements for the crew. With a one-man crew he could operate much more flexibly and therefore be more economically successful. A first sign of progress is the complete overhaul of its boats and compliance with all necessary safety standards ( ndr.de ). In order to secure the connection to the island in the long term, the airfield connection to Juist will be voted on on August 3rd; Until then, travelers' mobility will be ensured via a cycle rickshaw.

We can only hope that these measures will soon allow safe trips to the beautiful island of Juist to be offered again. The water taxis are not only an important means of transport, they also make a significant contribution to the quality of life and tourism in the region.