The story of CGN is 150 years of history, of passion for Lake Geneva and its surrounding region, and the passing on of unique know-how in sailing and in the maintenance of our fleet. From the sailors to the artisans, from the ticket office staff to those on the phone lines or in the administration, each of us contributes, every day, to offering the best possible experience to our passengers and passing on the art de vivre found in Lake Geneva.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Sailor
Ropemanship is an art form and a vital element when it comes to ensuring successful docking and safe boarding and disembarkation. It is also the result of teamwork between the boatman and the captain or helmsman.
Captain I
The captain has sole charge on board! Therefore he has a great responsibility towards our passengers and other lake users. The captain also takes great pride in being at the helm of our fleet and, in particular, of our Belle Epoque boats. Naturally he is the guarantor of the safety of his unit and is also responsible for training future helmsmen by passing on to them his knowledge and love of the job.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Painter
The painting workshop is also mobilized for tasks such as strengthening the base of this mizzen mast, measuring approximately 10 metres, on the Savoie boat, after a crack appeared. The repair is being made using fibreglass and epoxy resin, a process that requires great expertise.
Zodiac Technician
Every year, more than 200 safety rafts (Zodiac) are tested and maintained at the CGN, which is the only company in Switzerland that holds a licence for carrying out this work.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Sales Advisor
Any questions? Our customer support team is available all year round for our customers, and does all it can to offer everyone the best possible experience with our company.
Joiner
Carpenters and woodworkers create and renovate all the wooden fittings and fixtures, particularly for the Belle Epoque fleet, but also take charge of maintaining and repairing structural elements such as the bridges and the sliding doors. Here, 22 oak chairs from the Montreux boat have been completely taken apart so that they can be re-glued, then sanded and polished.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator
At the CGN, respect for the health and safety of each and every person is of fundamental importance. Whether in the yard or in the workshops, sailing on the lake or back in the offices.
Project coordinator assistant
Renovation is about teamwork between all the different professions. Here, the electricity workshop is pitching in to help, installing the starboard-side drum on the boat Belle Epoque Rhône.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Project head
Imagining and designing the boats of tomorrow, and the way sailing will look in the future - that is what our engineers work on each day. So that the CGN can continue to meet the expectations of its passengers, through a constant quest for innovation, as it has done ever since its early days, when it produced steam engines.
Diesel engineer
The diesel engineer ensures the technical smooth running of the boat (management of the engines and various on-board installations such as offices, fridges, etc. He also has the tasks of boat operator and ticket inspector during the trip.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Painter
The painting workshop represents 40% of the total maintenance hours. The painters are mobilised for tasks that may be visible or invisible, but are always useful, as in the present case.
He is in the process of masking the hull of the Lausanne before applying a layer of antifouling paint.
Inspector
The reception and customer information form part of the essential tasks of the inspector who is also in charge, as his title suggests, of ticket inspection. With the deck crew working as a team, the inspector also carries out the different tasks for the boat (ropes, mooring the boat, cleaning etc.).
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Cashier
The cashier is responsible on board for the sale and inspection of tickets. He is also available to answer customers’ questions about tickets, the itinerary or activities to take part in around the lake. He also takes part in the work on the boat.
Purser
The purser bears the responsibility not only for the cashier’s work but also that of training new employees. He may also work on all the boats in the CGN fleet.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Helmsman / Assistant Helmsman
The Helmsman is second in command to the Captain. Under his responsibility, he assists and replaces him. He also participates in the work on the boat and is in charge of the moorings and their oversight.
The assistant helmsman is learning to operate the vessel, the navigation routes and manoeuvres.
Captain II / Pilot
Captain II as well as the Pilot are also in charge of the smooth functioning of all the on-board services as is Captain I. But Captain II only drives the motor boats (except the “Lausanne”) and the Pilot just drives boats of less than 300 passengers. They must navigate for a certain number of years and take several examinations to earn the title of Captain I if they wish to.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Steam engineer
The steam engineer is responsible for the technical installations on the steamboats. He prepares and drives the steam engine according to the orders given by the wheelhouse.
Assistant engineer
The assistant engineer assists the steam engineer and is in charge of the burners and the correct lubrication of all the moving parts.
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Crédit photo : Sébastien Tavares Gomes
Port cashier
The port ticket offices are one of the main entry windows for our customers. The port cashier listens to and advises the passengers on the choice of the most suitable offer for them.
