Deficits in the sea rescue system uncovered Wreck of the "Lady Jay" found in Lake Constance after 14 years

SDA

2.7.2025 - 05:36

The ship salvage association identified the wreck found as the charter yacht "Lady Jay".
The ship salvage association identified the wreck found as the charter yacht "Lady Jay".
Picture: Keystone

The wreck of the charter yacht "Lady Jay" has been discovered in Lake Constance after 14 years, according to the ship salvage association. The president of the association, Silvan Paganini, discovered the ship at a depth of around 170 meters, as the association announced on Wednesday night.

Keystone-SDA

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  • The wreck of the charter yacht "Lady Jay" has been discovered in Lake Constance after 14 years, according to the ship salvage association.
  • The president of the association, Silvan Paganini, discovered the ship at a depth of around 170 meters, as the association announced on Wednesday night.
  • The motorboat had capsized in summer 2011 with twelve passengers on board.
  • The eight men and four women were saved by the quick intervention of a couple.
  • The crew wanted to sail from Langenargen in Germany to the Swiss shore in heavy seas when a high wave crashed against the boat.

The wreck of the charter yacht "Lady Jay" was discovered in Lake Constance after 14 years, according to the ship salvage association. The search was carried out at the request of the association's members, as association president Silvan Paganini told the Keystone-SDA news agency.

Paganini discovered the ship at a depth of around 170 meters, the Romanshorn Ship Salvage Association announced on Wednesday night. "As the association has the necessary equipment, we searched for free," said Paganini on request. He had located the wreck using sonar technology and remote-controlled underwater drones.

The motorboat capsized in the summer of 2011 with twelve passengers on board. The crew was heading from Langenargen in Germany to the Swiss shore in heavy seas when a high wave hit the boat, as the Keystone-SDA news agency wrote at the time, citing police reports. Four hypothermic people were taken to hospital.

Sea rescue changed

The eight men and four women were rescued by the quick intervention of a couple who happened to be on a sailing boat nearby, the association wrote in the latest press release. The events are still present even after 14 years, said Paganini, adding: "The survivors still carry it with them today." That is why the members of the association decided to search for the wreck of the "Lady Jay".

The case had revealed deficits in the international sea rescue system. The ship salvage association describes the "Lady Jay" as a symbol of the "most formative changes in the sea rescue system on Lake Constance". Since then, for example, an emergency number around the lake, an on-call service in stormy weather and mandatory cooperation between rescue units from Germany, Austria and Switzerland have been introduced.

According to Paganini, the wreck was found on Monday. Communication was somewhat delayed, as the authorities were informed first, said the association president. There are no plans to salvage the wreck. The environmental impact was assessed as low by the responsible authorities in 2011, according to the statement.