|
|
Article: Switzerland's merchant marine: who would ever think Switzerland has one of the most modern sea-faring fleets in the world? Swiss News finds out more.
- Article from:
- Swiss News
- Article date:
- April 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Swiss News. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Switzerland has a long tradition of civilian navigation on its lakes and rivers. Lakes Constance, Maggiore, Lucerne and Geneva (Leman) are among the most travelled in the world, albeit largely by tourism vessels or pleasure craft. Steamers, sailboats and motorboats are a staple on many of the country's 1,500 other lakes. Swiss military boats patrol some of the country's larger lakes.
In terms of ocean-going vessels, well, aside from the fact that Switzerland's Alinghi was the first sailboat from a landlocked country to win the America's Cup in 2003. accepted wisdom has it that any significant commercial land sea-related traffic ...