Three new paddle steamer captains for the CGN on Lake Geneva, Mrs. Sophie Aymon, as well as Mr. Dominique Jaunin and Mr. Rémy Gerber were sworn in on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 by the Prefect of the Lausanne district, Mrs. Clarisse Schumacher Petoud. The CGN now has a total of 31 sworn captains in its ranks, including a woman for the first time in its history.
The ceremony took place on the MS Lausanne, which was moored at the pier in Ouchy-Lausanne. Among those present were First Captain Alex Beauval, Chairman of the Captains’ Group Stéphane Houdry, Director Pierre Imhof, Member of the Board of Directors Stéphane Montangero and Chairman of the Board of Directors Benoît Gaillard. This swearing-in ceremony was also attended by the relatives and all colleagues of the new captains.
Captain Mrs Sophie Aymon, the first ever woman captain on the lake, was born on December 13, 1979 and lives in Le Bouveret. On 15 April 2002, Ms Aymon joined CGN as a cashier. She was appointed Controller II in 2004, Controller I in 2005 and Treasurer in 2006. She was appointed deputy helmsman in 2017, helmsman in 2019, and finally pilot in 2022.
Captain Dominique Jaunin was born on February 15, 1991 and lives in Les Thioleyres. Since March 4, 2013, Mr. Jaunin has been working as a boatswain at CGN. He was appointed Controller II in 2015, Controller I in 2016, Deputy Helmsman in 2018, Helmsman in 2020, Pilot in 2023.
Captain Rémy Gerber was born on September 26, 1982 and lives in Les Avants. Mr. Gerber joined CGN on April 7, 2008. In 2010 he was appointed Controller II, in 2011 Controller I and in 2014 Deputy Helmsman. He has been helmsman since 2017 and finally pilot in 2022.
Captain Sophie Aymon pictured with Zoé Mury, the godfather of the new ship Thonon Les Bains. Zoe is an engineer at the EPFL in energy issues and is now project manager of the ABVL-funded study “Propulsion of steamships and future CO2 law”. In the background is the brand new Thonon Les Bains. Mrs Aymon had just christened the other new ship Evian Les Bains in a ceremony at Ouchy on Friday 13th December.
Kingswear Castle returned to service in 2023 after the first part of a major rebuild which is designed to set her up for the next 25 years running on the River Dart. The Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle Trust is now fund raising for the second phase of the rebuild. You can read more about the rebuilds and how you can help if you can here.
John Megoran
