3 November 2021
Most of the Attila’s guests have crossed a special ship on their journey across the three lakes: the MS Jura. Once a modern passenger ship, for almost 30 years she has offered trips with overnight accommodation. Most guests are school classes, institutions, themed camps or private groups. As the MS Jura project cannot run on its own, sponsors and patrons are always very welcome. We met skipper David Weber.
I’m one of the skippers of the MS Jura and, together with the other crew members and cooperative members, I look after the technical maintenance. I trained as a deckhand and later as a captain on the Rhine, where I started as a ship’s boy. About 25 years ago I was asked whether I wanted to skipper the MS Jura. I immediately thought the project was a cool thing and I’ve been active on the ship ever since, with a few interruptions. So I got stuck here (laughs).
The MS Jura was already in service in 1932, as the first diesel-propeller ship on the Swiss lakes. Back then she belonged to the BSG fleet and was considered a state-of-the-art ship. Understandably, it now takes a great deal of time and commitment to keep her in shape. Sometimes you have to take apart half the ship to fix certain damage. She is built far more complexly than modern ships. I can carry out this work because, from the age of 16 on the Rhine, I learned to maintain and restore old ships too.
Our guests are above all school classes spending their outdoor school week on the ship, or institutions caring for people with disabilities. It’s also an attractive offer for themed weeks such as WWF camps, pirate camps or scout camps. And when we’re not at capacity, the ship can also be booked by private groups for family holidays or at weekends. One appeal is certainly that you can stay overnight on board — capacity for 60 people, 26 berths. Not as exclusive and comfortable as on the Attila, though: our ship offers a group feeling.
That depends a lot on how I’m feeling. At the moment I really like Lake Murten, because it’s so calm. But fundamentally, Lake Biel is my favourite. If I need more action and adventure, I prefer Lake Neuchâtel. I observe the same thing with our guests — and the lovely part is that we can respond to their needs and adapt our route.
I already have! It’s an attractive boat and an interesting complement to the offer on the three lakes. The MS Jura is more for young, easy-going guests looking for the youth-hostel feeling. The Attila offers a completely different atmosphere with hotel rooms, a lounge and more. We’ve arranged things well and both move within this beautiful region.