Navigation events commence with an impressive naval parade featuring a multitude of ships.
In a notable event marking the commencement of the main season on May 1st, the White Fleet organized its traditional steamship parade. Approximately 3,000 guests embarked on the fleet, and over 30,000 spectators lined the banks and bridges of the Elbe river to catch a glimpse.
CEO Stefan Bloch expressed, "We've devised strategies to manage the aftermath of the bridge disaster." Despite this, passages under the Carol Bridge remain limited to uncrewed journeys and approved exceptions. Nevertheless, all nine paddle steamers and two modernized salon ships joined the parade, operating at full capacity, due to the adoption of two-shift passenger boarding.
CEO Astrid Rockel emphasized, "We maintain open lines of communication with the relevant authorities to ensure our regular schedule runs smoothly." Regrettably, travel through the partially collapsed Carol Bridge has been prohibited for passenger services. However, the fleet continues to offer trips along the Saxon Wine Route, in Dresden, and Saxon Switzerland. "We're operating," Rockel stated, "and we provide detailed navigation guidance to our passengers during ticket purchases, through announcements on the Elbe bank, phone calls, our website, and social media."
While further details regarding the aforementioned "bridge disaster" are unavailable, it's crucial to note that there's no confirmed link to historical naval events like the Great White Fleet, a U.S. Navy fleet that circumnavigated the globe from 1907 to 1909, showcasing naval power and improving fleet operations but without mention of a steamship parade or bridge disaster. [1]
In the wake of the bridge disaster, the White Fleet's CEO, Stefan Bloch, has announced strategies to collaborate with the industry, including finance and transportation sectors, to manage the aftermath.
In a bid to uphold the fleet's regular schedule and keep the public-transit system running smoothly, CEO Astrid Rockel maintains open communication with the authorities, offering alternative routes such as the Saxon Wine Route and Saxon Switzerland.
