"Ship maintenance is like home maintenance – but with a breeze"

They clear the ship: the maintenance team knows every corner and every screw on board.And ensures that guests are travelling on clean, seaworthy ships every day.

Early in the morning, Lake Zug is calm, with just a few wisps of mist drifting across the water. Dani Bucher and his team are already on deck of the MS Zug. When the scheduled boat takes a break from its work on the lake and docks in the harbour, the maintenance team's working day begins at 7 am.

Steward Murat is the first person on the ship. He prepares the ship, cleans the outside, maintains the water systems and carries out minor repairs. The team includes a stand-in steward and the cleaning staff. The three cleaners give the cruise ship a polish before it sets sail at 9 am. The MS Rigi is also thoroughly cleaned when it is used for extra trips.

Fascinated by the variety
Team leader Dani Bucher is also often on board at 7 am. The trained farmer and car body plumber switched from land to water 11 years ago: he is both head of maintenance for Lake Zug and Lake Aegeri as well as skipper and can regularly be found on the bridge during the season. His working day is varied: "One day I'm out and about in maintenance and then hours later I'm in the wheelhouse or office – a bit of everything. No two days are the same and there are always surprises in store," says the 53-year-old, describing a typical day.

The father of three almost grown-up girls is also always drawn to the water in his private life – as a windsurfer and passionate camper. On holiday, his caravan is usually parked on the shore of a lake. He also enjoys sailing or looking at boats. "Once you get into the nautical world, it's like a virus. Wherever there's a ship, I have to look at it."

He now knows the MS Zug and MS Rigi inside out. "Ship maintenance is like housekeeping – but with more airstream," smiles the man from Beinwil in Freiämter. "Whether it's the engines, water system, air conditioning and galley, hull and rudder - it requires a broad technical and manual all-round knowledge." You learn something new with every repair and can solve a lot of things yourself the next time. Shiptec comes to the rescue for more serious damage. "Whether it's calm seas or swell, our main task remains the same: We ensure that our guests enjoy their journey on a clean, operational ship at all times."

Full speed ahead even in winter
In addition to the day-to-day tasks, the team also carries out regular checks: Engines, fire extinguishers, life jackets, fire alarm systems and more must be maintained and documented in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Office of Transport (FOT).

This winter, both the MS Zug and the MS Rigi will be taken out of the water for the shell inspection. Dani and Murat receive help from skippers and sailors when painting and coating with antifouling. The ships then take a winter break. But the work continues for the maintenance team. "Even when the ships are resting in the harbour, there's always something to do. After all, they have to be serviced, cleaned and ‘healthy’ in the spring when the lake comes back to life."