Mergel & Compagnons, SARL. Rue du Colombier 6, CH - 1202 Genève, +41 76 202 11 96
Rheinfelden – Basel – Strasbourg – Cologne – Amsterdam
construction period: springtime 2000
idea/planning:
Bernhard Mergel
Falk Selbmann
on board summer 2000
captain:
Bernhard Mergel
chief mate:
Falk Selbmann
crew:
The “catamaran-raft-galley with a houseboat nature”, as this unique vessel was officially called, was planned by two wandering journeyman in the dessert of the Australien Outback, shortly after the millennium. The ship was laid down in Friedrichshafen, and named by all participants (and later crew aboard) “Schleusenrammler”. This was followed by an adventurous river ride through four European countries down to the sea.
After the “Schleusenrammler” has been transported back from Amsterdam to the Lake of Constance with a special low-loader truck, the crew assigned the raft in a ceremonial act to the community of Friedrichshafen, which also was main sponsor of the project. Since summer 2000, thousands of kids of the holiday camp “Seemoos” have gained first skills in navigation, and could experience adventurous journeys, on board of the “Schleusenrammler”. In the year 2008, the raft was completely renewed by a group of young traveling journeymen. Thanks to these, the “Schleusenrammler” still serves the pleasure and education of its little sailors and pirates on the Lake of Constance.
Rhine-raft "Schleusenrammler"