Ruhr area.
So tempting in hot weather: Jump into the canal for free! But that poses serious risks. What swimmers should be aware of.
High temperatures and plenty of sun. It’s no wonder that many people come to the canal to cool off in hot summer weather. After all, there’s enough of that in the Ruhr area – the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Rhine-Herne Canal, Datteln-Hamm Canal, Wesel-Datteln Canal…
But rivers and canals are actually primarily traffic routes for ships. So is swimming in the canal allowed? And what dangers should swimmers be aware of? We answer the most important questions with the help of the Dortmund fire brigade:
Can I swim in the canal?
Bathing in the canal is not expressly permitted, but is tolerated – with the exception of certain areas.
Where am I not allowed to swim?
According to the inland waterway regulations, swimming is strictly prohibited in the following areas:
- 100 meters above and below bridges,
- in the area of weirs and port facilities
- in the lock area
Why is swimming prohibited in these areas?
There are good reasons for that! There are significant currents in front of locks. Because the filling and emptying of the locks creates a suction effect that even experienced swimmers cannot escape. In the area of weirs, this suction effect is even permanently present due to the constant flow of water. A human cannot compete with that!
Can skippers react to swimmers?
The bargeman steers the ship from the stern. So he or she has a ship in front of him that is over 100 meters long. So you can’t see swimmers. In addition, navigating in locks or under bridges requires a lot of concentration. Swimmers in the area of locks or bridges therefore mean an additional burden for skippers.
What happens if I swim too close to the ship?
Swimming near ships is prohibited by inland waterway regulations. If a swimmer comes too close to a ship, this can have fatal consequences in the worst case.
Because ships with a pointed bow push the water to the side. This creates a wave that causes the swimmer to drift away and can press against the stony embankment. In addition, the forward movement of the ship and the work of the ship’s propeller create a strong suction. A swimmer who is level with the ship can easily be pulled in the direction of the ship’s propeller.
In ships with a blunt bow, the water is first pushed down before a wave is created. This pulls the swimmer under the ship’s hull – often with fatal consequences.
Can a ship brake?
no Ships travel on the canal at a speed of up to ten to twelve kilometers per hour. You can’t brake, only make all machines run backwards. Therefore, they only come to a halt after about 500 meters.
Why is jumping bridges dangerous?
The maximum water depth in the canal is four to five meters. When jumping off a bridge, there is a risk of fatal injuries on impact. Jumping from a lower bridge can also have dangerous consequences. Objects floating in the water, such as empty bottles or sharp pieces of wood, can easily be overlooked. They are often located in the bridge area under the water surface and can lead to serious injuries. In addition, they are often railway bridges with power cables.
Do swimmers face penalties?
The water protection police are increasingly on duty during the holiday season. It punishes misconduct with administrative offense or criminal proceedings. Swimmers have to reckon with dismissals, warnings and fines.
More articles from this category can be found here: Rhine and Ruhr
