MS Jura - The adventure ship

Most guests on the Attila have crossed a special ship on their journey across the three lakes: the MS Jura. Formerly a modern passenger ship, it has now been offering trips with overnight accommodation for almost 30 years. Most of the guests are school classes, institutions for the disabled, various themed camps or private individuals. As the MS Jura project is not self-supporting, sponsors and patrons are always very welcome! We met the skipper David Weber and talked to him about the project.

David Weber, can you briefly introduce yourself?

I am one of the skippers of the MS Jura and, together with the other crew members and members of the cooperative, I take care of the technical maintenance. I completed my training as a sailor and later as a captain on the Rhine, where I started out as a ship's boy. About 25 years ago, I was asked if I would like to sail the MS Jura. I immediately thought it was a cool project and have been working on the ship ever since, with a few interruptions. So I got stuck here (laughs).

What does your day on the MS Jura look like?

I'm currently preparing the boat for the winter. The season is over. Otherwise, I take our guests across the three lakes to wherever they want to go. At times like this, I'm on the boat 24 hours a day, as our guests also spend the night here. As I also take care of the technical maintenance of this old ship, my commitment is quite high. But that doesn't mean that I can earn a lot. Our project is not profit-oriented and the wages are rather low. Everyone who joins our patrons' association helps us enormously. So welcome to the patrons' association!

Can you describe the MS Jura in a little more detail?

The MS Jura was already in service in 1932 as the first diesel propeller ship on the Swiss lakes. At the time, it was part of the BSG fleet and was considered a state-of-the-art ship. Now, understandably, it takes a lot of time and commitment to keep it in shape. Sometimes half the ship has to be taken apart to repair some of the damage. It is much more complicated to build than modern ships. I can do this work because I learned how to maintain and restore old ships when I was 16 years old on the Rhine. We also have a boat builder in our team.

The MS Jura is no longer part of the BSG fleet, but sails under a private flag. What does the offer look like today? Who are your guests?

Our guests are mainly school classes who spend their country school weeks on the ship, as well as various institutions, including those that care for people with disabilities. It is also a very attractive option for themed weeks such as WWF camps, pirate camps or scout camps. And if we are not at full capacity, the boat can also be booked by private individuals for family vacations or at weekends for birthdays, weddings or seminars. It is then a large private yacht. What is certainly attractive is that you can stay overnight on the boat. It has capacity for 60 people and offers 26 berths. However, it is not as exclusive and comfortable as the Attila. Our ship has 2 bedrooms, so it offers a group feeling.

What do guests particularly appreciate during their vacation on the MS Jura?

The overall package is certainly very interesting and great fun. The groups can choose where they want to go. Always taking the wind and weather into account, of course. School classes often have a particular focus, for example they might want to visit a boat builder, accompany a fisherman or visit the power station in Hagneck and the pile-dwelling museum in Neuchâtel. Graduating classes are more interested in chilling out and enjoying themselves. There's always something going on on the boat and you can also go swimming in various bays, which is always a highlight anyway. You're always on the water, which is unique. The ship itself is also a special attraction. Depending on the group, it can get rather crowded, so there's always a great atmosphere. You can't leave quickly, you have to get along with each other.

You spend 24 hours with these groups, so you also become a camp leader?

Yes, I do indeed automatically become a leader to some extent, as I am actively and intensively involved in this life and am part of the whole group. Most of the time this is a very nice and exciting experience, but to be honest it can also be exhausting as I have little privacy. But all in all, it's a very cool thing!

You sail with the MS Jura and the guests across all three lakes. Which region do you like best?

It varies and depends very much on how I feel personally. At the moment, I really like Lake Murten because it's so calm. It generally has very little traffic, very beautiful beaches and never big waves, which is very pleasant for a captain. In general, however, I like Lake Biel best. If I need more action and adventure, I prefer Lake Neuchâtel. I see the same thing with our customers. The great thing is that we can respond to their needs and adapt our route accordingly.

Would you also be interested in riding the Attila?

I already have one! It's an attractive boat and an interesting addition to what's on offer on the three lakes. The MS Jura is more for young, uncomplicated guests who are looking for that youth hostel feeling. The Attila offers a completely different atmosphere with hotel rooms, lounge, etc. In any case, we have come to a good arrangement and are both in this beautiful region.