Portrait: Captain Thomas Nief

Thomas Nief works in a variety of roles: as a captain on Lake Zug and as a health adviser. What links these roles is a closeness to nature.

Before the first guests come on board in the morning, Thomas Nief gets a general overview. A glance into the engine room, a walk through the boat. As a former head of maintenance at Zugersee Schifffahrt, he doesn’t just tick boxes on a checklist, but takes a comprehensive look around: “Anything that doesn’t quite fit the picture catches my eye.”

From lakeside lad to skipper
The 55-year-old grew up in Arbon on Lake Constance. Water has been part of his life ever since he was a child. “Lakes and the sea – and water in general – are my element.” As a young man, a chance encounter led him to the Lake Constance Shipping Company, where he worked as a ticket clerk and engineer. Later, he moved from Eastern Switzerland to Central Switzerland for love.

He joined Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe AG around 13 years ago, initially as head of vessel maintenance. He later passed his captain’s examination. Today, he works part-time on Lake Zug. The biggest challenge? Maintaining constant concentration. “You always have to be able to react correctly and, if anything happens, make the right decision.” At the same time, he can take in the panoramic views: “In the wheelhouse, I can be on my own and lose myself in it.” But he also enjoys interacting with guests, particularly on special trips.

When Thomas isn’t at the helm, he works in procurement. Alongside this, he has built up a third source of income: health consultancy – ‘living healthily for longer’. He offers recommendations and advice on essential oils and supplements, edible wild plants, healthy eating, Ayurveda and a natural lifestyle. He was fascinated by Asian culture and philosophy from an early age, particularly Chinese medicine with its holistic approach. “They view people differently – and their connection to nature.”

Connected to nature
He spends a lot of time outdoors – in the mountains, in the woods, in his own garden – and, of course, by, in, under and on the water. Sometimes his different worlds intersect, for example when colleagues on board ask him about health topics. “My passion is to ensure that as many people as possible can benefit from this knowledge, from nature and from a healthy lifestyle.”

What goes through his mind when he lets his gaze wander over the water from the wheelhouse? “The lake makes me long for the sea; it brings me contentment and serenity. And it also reminds me just how small I am in the face of nature.” Every day on the water is different, he says, “but every one is wonderful. I never cease to marvel at the beautiful landscape, the vastness and the silence.”