Girls gain valuable insights into a working day in nautical science
Who wouldn't want to be in the wheelhouse of a ship? For 11 young girls, there is this special experience and much more on Girls' Day on April 3, 2025 in Cologne on the MS RheinPerle. On this day, the KölnTourist Personenschiffahrt team will offer them a look behind the scenes of the traditionally male profession of inland navigation.
"Nautical science is indeed still a male domain, but there are more and more women in this profession," explains Angelika Schmitz, Managing Director of KölnTourist. "When I completed my training and obtained my shipping license, women were still something exotic in this sector. Now, however, there are more and more female skippers and sailors. Every year, I look forward to introducing young girls to this exciting profession and I hope that some of them will decide to train in inland navigation."
Varied program
Sarah Fischer has completed her training at KölnTourist and is now responsible for training the young navigators herself, together with her colleague Christian Hentschel. The two have put together an exciting and varied program for the girls. In addition to an introduction to the waterways, practical safety instruction including trying on a lifejacket and knot tying, an essential skill for any nautical professional, the day also includes an excursion to the "Rheinkrake" waste trap and, to top it all off, a 90-minute boat trip on the Rhine. The only requirements for Girls' Day are a minimum age of 14, sturdy shoes and a little curiosity. The event starts at 10:00 am.
Training to become a bargeman takes a total of 3 years and also includes several months of training on the training ship in Duisburg. If the girls decide to pursue a career in this industry after leaving school, they will, for example, guide and steer ships on inland waterways, transport goods and carry passengers. They can work for inland waterway freight and passenger transport companies, in port operations and authorities or for water and shipping authorities. In principle, many doors are open to graduates: a degree in shipbuilding, obtaining a license as a skipper or a career as an instructor are just three examples of further career planning. As a large number of events also take place on the ships, it is also possible to train on board as a restaurant and event catering clerk. A dual course of study in event management is also possible.
About KölnTourist Personenschiffahrt:
KölnTourist offers boat trips and boat charters at the most important hubs on the Rhine in the Cologne/Bonn area, an unforgettable and exclusive variety of experiences for a real change of perspective, plenty of relaxation and lots of good humor on one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. A personal and individual service, delicious food from our own buffet service RheinGastro and a very good price-performance ratio round off the offer.
KölnTourist is Cologne's only family-run shipping company with decades of tradition and shipping expertise. The fleet is technically state-of-the-art, because the safety of the passengers is always the focus. The interior of the fleet is always well maintained. With a view to the environment and future generations, the company embarked on a journey towards greater sustainability in passenger shipping some time ago. KölnTourist sees itself as a true friend and partner to its guests and is open to the world. The employees are authentic and love what they do - with regard to their fleet, their offers, their guests and the team.