Interview with Nati female skipper

At the age of 27, Nati Koch is already where many people want to be: in the wheelhouse of Lake Zug's ships. After four years as a sailor, the Mettmenstetten native is currently training to become a skipper.

Nati, why did you decide to train as a skipper?
The idea didn't originally come from me. My boss asked me if I could imagine taking this step. To be honest, I was a bit taken by surprise at first and had to think about it. Of course, you have a lot of responsibility as a skipper. But the longer I thought about it, the more I realised: yes, I would like to take the plunge.

How does the training actually work?
We had school from January to March, then the theory test. Now comes the practical driving lessons. For example, we practise pulling up to the jetty or various rolling exercises. When I'm ready, I'll also be used on course trips.

There is a minimum number of hours for the practical test. But it's not so much the number that counts as the feel for the boat. Another requirement here on Lake Zug is that you have previously worked as a sailor - so you already know the lake, the ship and the whole crew very well.

Where are you currently in your training?
At the moment I'm still doing my driving lessons without passengers. The most important thing is the routine. A lot of things are different on the water than when driving a car. A boat is constantly moving because of the wind and waves. You can't just stop. You have to develop this instinct.

What do you respect most on the lake?
The weather conditions, for example. The wind can change in a matter of seconds. We watch the bow flags or the flags at the stations to assess what the wind is doing. Nevertheless, a gust can suddenly come from a completely different direction. A ship has a large attack surface. It takes experience to react to this correctly. I think respect is important - you must never lose it, no matter how long you've been in the job.

What do you particularly like about your job?
It's simply a wonderful place to work. Sitting in the wheelhouse, looking out over the lake and knowing that I'm steering this ship - that's a special moment every time.

I also really like the contact with the guests. You're out on the water, every day is different, and yet contact with guests remains an important part of the job, even as a skipper.

You are currently the only woman in this apprenticeship at Zugersee Schifffahrt. Do you feel that in your day-to-day work?
I get a lot of support from everyone. Our skippers have experienced many wonderful, but also stormy times and pass on this experience, from which I can benefit. We really have a great team and I never feel like I have to prove myself as a woman.

What does it mean for you to have responsibility as a skipper later on?
As a skipper, you are an authority figure. Especially in difficult situations or in bad weather, you have to remain calm, make decisions and be able to give clear instructions. We practise such situations in role exercises. That way, we are well prepared - not only technically, but also in dealing with passengers. It must be clear on a ship: What the skipper says goes.