The attempt to salvage the historic steamship Säntis from the depths of Lake Constance has ended unsuccessfully, as the Ship Salvage Association Romanshorn has announced the failure of its crowdfunding efforts. Despite the backing of supporters from the lakeside community, the second crowdfunding campaign did not meet its target of one million Swiss francs (approximately 1.1 million euros), leading to the cessation of plans to recover the vessel, which lies at a depth of 210 meters since it was sunk back in 1933 after ceasing operations.
According to Silvan Paganini, the project's lead and experienced offshore expert, efforts to mobilize resources saw 169,000 Swiss francs (about 179,000 euros) raised but this was significantly short of the required amount. Paganini expressed disappointment, saying, "The support was impressive, but unfortunately, the financial means were not enough. Achieving the maximum with minimal resources is a feat, which we failed to achieve on our first attempt." The association had previously noted the difficulties posed by the need for significant funds to handle the complex recovery operation, as well as restoration costs due to hazardous materials on the wreck.
Two previous attempts at raising the Säntis have faltered, the last one occurring last May, when issues with the winch brakes led to disarray, resulting in the salvage platform plunging downwards instead of recovering the ship. The first attempt, made mid-April, was similarly unsuccessful, marking both efforts as setbacks for the regional preservation initiative.
Paganini stated, "With sufficient resources, anything is possible. But without them, we cannot move forward." He conveyed gratitude to the many volunteers and donors who rallied for the project, indicating their enthusiasm serves as motivation to continue exploring ways to preserve the sunken vessel.
The Säntis, originally operational since 1892, carried up to 400 passengers and exemplified technological innovation of the time by being converted from coal to oil fuel. Its initial sinking was described as economically motivated, as scrapping the vessel was deemed too expensive.
Despite this recent disappointment, the Ship Salvage Association remains committed to its objectives. Transitioning to focus on lessons learned, they are brainstorming new projects and ways to secure resources for future endeavors. Paganini mentioned discussions surrounding potential recoveries of other items from Lake Constance, including the remains of aircraft and other vessels.
"We are not going to rest on this setback. We have many ideas coming from the community and our members, signaling new projects are on the horizon," Paganini asserted. "This is not the end for the Säntis; it remains significant as part of our shipping heritage. While this recovery won't happen immediately, we will prioritize securing and restoring what we can."
The Säntis stands as a memorial to its era and continues to capture the public's imagination, drawing attention from historians and maritime enthusiasts alike. The association will return donations made during the campaign to its supporters within 14 working days, as the fundraising initiative has fully closed for the time being.