Glossary

Lake Constance

4 terms, explained in plain language.

Storm warning on Lake Constance

40 or 90 flashes a minute — the lake warns with an orange light.

Orange flashing beacons stand all around Lake Constance:

Strong wind warning — about 40 flashes a minute: gusts of around force 6 are expected. Consider heading for the shore or harbour.
Storm warning — about 90 flashes a minute: gusts of around force 8. Seek shelter at once; staying out risks life and boat.

Weather on Lake Constance turns fast: thunder squalls off the Alps reach the lake with little warning. Include the beacons in every scan of the horizon — and once the strong wind warning is running, do not go far from the shore.

Lake Constance licence & BSO

The lake has its own law — and its own licence.

On Lake Constance the German pleasure-craft licence regulations do not apply; instead the international Lake Constance Navigation Ordinance (BSO) of the three bordering states does. A licence is required to operate motor boats of more than 4.4 kW (category A) and sailing boats with more than 12 m² of sail area (category D).

The licence is issued by the district authorities around the lake; the theory examination follows its own official question catalogue. Visitors can obtain a time-limited holiday licence.

The shore zone

The 300-metre zone belongs to swimmers and to nature.

A shore zone of 300 metres applies along the banks of Lake Constance. Motor boats may only enter it to berth and leave — by the shortest route, at right angles to the shore and at the lowest possible speed. Water skiing, fast running and unnecessary circling are forbidden there.

In addition there are protected shallow-water and reed zones that may be closed entirely — watch the buoyage and the charts issued by the bordering states.

Right of way on Lake Constance

Scheduled passenger vessels and professional fishermen come first — recognisable by their balls.

On Lake Constance the following have right of way over all other craft:

Priority vessels of the shipping companies (scheduled passenger ships) — they carry a green ball, and a green all-round light at night.
Professional fishermen while fishing — recognisable by a white ball.

Everyone else, sailing boats included, keeps well clear of their course.

Otherwise the familiar order applies: power gives way to sail, sail gives way to the professional fisherman and the passenger ship — and in the shore zone swimmers always have priority over every boat.

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