Ships on Lake Zurich

Lake Zurich stretches south from the city of Zurich towards the more mountainous country near the Glarner Alpen. The sunny north-east coast is also known as the Gold Coast, where many wealthy reside. The river Limmat leaves the lake in Zurich and runs through the city centre. The Lake Zurich Shipping Company (ZSG) operates 14 ships on Lake Zurich and 3 on the river Limmat. All its scheduled services are integrated into the Zurich Public Transport Tariff.

The steam ship Stadt Zürich is the oldest ship of the shipping company ZSG. It entered service in 1909. The photo shows it while approaching Thalwil. [Jul 2015].

The Stadt Zürich is one of two steam ships operating on Lake Zurich. Here it is leaving Männedorf. Stadt Zürich Particulars: Passengers: 750 pax. Length: 59.1m Width: 13.10m Shipyard: Escher Wyss. [Jul 2015].
The oldest motor ship of the shipping company ZSG is the Linth. In 1952 it entered service as the first triple deck ship on the lake. The Linth is seen near Freienbach. [Jul 2015].
Linth Particulars: Passengers: 1000 pax. Length: 54.0m Width: 11.60m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The motor ship Linth departs from Rapperswil. [Sep 2014].
The motor ship Säntis was built in 1957. Here it is seen near Thalwil. [Jul 2015].
Säntis particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 42.5m Width: 7.50m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The motor ship Limmat entered service in 1958. It has left Zurich and is starting its voyage across the lake. [Jul 2015].
Limmat particulars: Passengers: 700 pax. Length: 51.0m Width: 10.90m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. The ship is seen near the Au Peninsula. [Jul 2015].
Das motor ship Bachtel was built in 1962. It is seen near Zurich. Bachtel particulars: Passengers: 250 pax. Length: 33.3m Width: 6.30m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Aug 2015].
From 1997 to 1999 the three sister ships Albis, Pfannenstiel und Uetliberg were put into service. The Uetliberg is seen near Zurich. Uetliberg particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 42.3m Width: 7.30m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The motor ship Pfannenstiel at Thalwil. [Jul 2015].
The two sister ships Forch and Zimmerberg were introduced in 2001. They are mainly used as ferries on the routes Küsnacht - Erlenbach - Thalwil and Männedorf - Stäfa - Wädenswil. The Zimmerberg approaches Männedorf. [Jul 2015].
Zimmerberg particulars: Passengers: 150 pax. Length: 31.2m Width: 5.80m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. The Zimmerberg has departed Stäfa and returns towards Wädenswil. [Jul 2015].
The newest ship on Lake Zurich is the Panta Rhei, built in 2007. Its name is a Greek expression meaning everything flows. The photo shows the ship near Stäfa. [Jul 2015].
Panta Rhei particulars: Passengers: 700 pax. Length: 56.6m Width: 10.70m Shipyard: ÖSWAG. The Panta Rhei is seen near Küsnacht on the Gold Coast. [Jul 2015].
The Panta Rhei was badly designed, so that it was taken out of service again after its maiden voyage. The accommodation on deck is two large and heavy for the hull. Through additions to the hull, the design could be corrected, so that the ship is now useable. The enlarged bulbous bow is quite obvious on this photo. [Jul 2015].
The large glass panels of the Panta Rhei have also been damaged during heavy wind gusts. But on this photo the ship travels across the lake near Meilen on a fine day. [Jul 2015].
The interior design of the Panta Rhei is characteristically modern. [Jul 2015].
Millions had to be spent to make the Panta Rhei seaworthy. Here she is in Rapperswil. Her characteristic design and chequered history nearly make her a symbol of modernity. [Jul 2015].
Vehicle ferries operate between Horgen and Meilen on Lake Zurich. They are operated by an independent company. During peak hours there is a ferry departure every 7.5 minutes. The ferry Horgen is seen in Horgen. It entered service in 1991. Horgen particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 40 Length: 49.5m Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.90m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The ferries also accommodate foot passengers. The ferry Zürisee near Horgen. It entered service in 1999. Zürisee particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 44 Length: 55.0m Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.85m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The ferry Burg near Meilen. It entered service in 2003. Burg particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 44 Length: 55.0m Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.85m Shipyard: Bodanwerft. [Jul 2015].
The shipping company ZSG also operates river boats on the river Limmat in Zurich. They travel below the bridges and connect parts of the central city. The river boat Regula approaches the stop Landesmuseum. [Aug 2015].
The river boat Turicum travels along the river Limmat through Zurich. [Aug 2015].