Rabbitwerder: Scandal about shoals endangers boat owners!

Rabbitwerder: Scandal about shoals endangers boat owners!

There are signs of a storm in the pretty island harbor of Rabbitwerder, which was ceremoniously inaugurated a year ago. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig and Mayor Rico Badenschier celebrated the opening, but now there is a big question mark over the future of the port. A conflict between restaurant tenant Rüdiger Kopplin and the city causes excitement, while boaters complain about shallow shallows.

Roland R., an affected boat owner, was hit hard. Officially, the water depth in the harbor should be 1.60 meters, but the reality is different: in the southern harbor area there is only 70 to 80 centimeters of water. This led to R.'s motorboat trip becoming a fiasco when his boat landed on a boulder, causing five-figure damage. “It's a shame that such a situation exists here,” said R. about the inadequate marking of the danger areas. There is only a warning sign about shoals at the northern entrance, but not for boats arriving from the south.

Dispute over leases and culinary future

The island's gastronomy could soon get a new look. 27 interested parties applied for the public tender in order to revitalize the gastronomic offering on Rabbitwerder. However, the old tenant Kopplin is involved in a legal dispute with the city because he expects a binding lease agreement until 2030. Here we see the typical cat-and-mouse game between the city administration and the tenant, because Kopplin wants to cooperate with a potential successor, but needs a clear agreement with the city representatives.

A considerable investment volume of 4.2 million euros has already been raised for catering, including 800,000 euros just for the renovation of the inn. But the city has closed the lake terrace for traffic safety reasons. “That limits my options considerably,” complains Kopplin and continues: “Income is stagnating while costs are rising.” The city has not yet set a date for an inspection of the island, adding to the uncertainty.

A port facility with problems

The port facility is intended to provide a home for boaters, but the reality is different. The 42 berths and a pier for passenger shipping may not be sufficient as washouts on groynes endanger safety. City spokeswoman Michaela Christen confirmed that the depth problem was known and that there was a deviation of 20 centimeters from the planned water depth. Despite these obvious deficiencies, the company responsible failed to remedy the situation.

The Rabbit Werder example is not an isolated case. Similar problems are also evident in the surrounding area, where water tourism is booming. However, water tourism in Berlin, which has grown from 200 to 300 million euros in revenue in a decade, brings with it some challenges, including conflicts between residents and water sports enthusiasts and enormous environmental impact. The Nature Conservation Association warns against overuse of the waters, while the water police are considering the need for more moorings and charging stations for electric boats in order to take nature's watchtower into account.

Could Rabbit Werder soon become part of a new, flourishing tourism landscape? The path there is paved with political and practical hurdles, but the will to revitalize it is unmistakable. It remains to be seen how the city will deal with the challenges and whether the planned measures will be implemented effectively. Until then, boaters and innkeepers will have to wait and hope for better times.