"Something other than sharks": Dive to inspect Seebadi Lucerne
Built at the end of the 18th century, the Seebadi on the Nationalquai in Lucerne is a monument to Swiss bathing culture. in 2010, the bathing area was extensively renovated and upgraded. Since then, the pile foundation and the steel structure have been regularly inspected to ensure they are in good working order. In mid-October, two Basler & Hofmann employees were able to turn their hobby into a profession for once.
It's a sunny fall day when the Basler & Hofmann team arrives at the Seebadi in Lucerne. The time-honored bath was built in 1884-85 as a typical box bath with two bathing pools separated by gender and has been rebuilt several times in its 100-year history. in 2010, the baths were extensively renovated and upgraded. Components worthy of protection were restored and reinstalled and new components were added.
He leads the inspection today. The last inspections of the piles and steel structure took place in 2017 and 2019.
For the inspection, two Basler & Hofmann employees swap their construction helmets for wetsuits for once. Lukas Abächerli found them through an internal appeal.
Before he and Anita Wirz, structural maintenance draughtswoman, dive down, the team goes through the dive plan and safety precautions together. The three of them have developed their own emergency plan for the dive. Among other things, they have clarified how diving risks can be minimized, where the nearest decompression chamber and doctors with experience in dealing with diving emergencies are located.
Many a water lover might be tempted to take a dip in the cold waters of Lake Lucerne in the autumn sunshine. But the Water is just 14 degrees on the thermometer. Semi-dry wetsuits are therefore mandatory for the dive to inspect the lakeside pool.
Once equipped, Anita and Christian go through the common diving signs one last time, which they will use to communicate under water - for once, team communication must also work perfectly non-verbally. Then the time has finally come: the two of them dive down.
The loads from the two-storey timber construction of the pool are supported by a spatial steel framework in the fluctuation area of the lake level and transferred to a total of 150 wooden piles. The inspection is carried out as a random visual check. At a total of six points, the two employees visually assess the condition of the structural system and the piles under water and document this with an underwater camera. To assess the condition, Anita Wirz uses a spatula to remove the mussels, algae and moss that have accumulated on the piles.
After about an hour, air bubbles appear on the surface of the lake and the two employees resurface. Lukas Abächerli is happy that everything went well. The two divers have good news to report: they have not noticed any visible changes in the condition of the lake since the last inspection. There are no signs of defects, excessive wear or damage. Accordingly, bathers will be able to enjoy the lake with a view of Mount Pilatus in Safety and Security next year.
An eventful day comes to an end for the team. Anita and Christian would be delighted to receive further diving assignments.