Munich police crackdown on alcohol-fueled inflatable boat parties on Isar

Police in Munich inspected inflatable boats on the Isar river on Saturday, citing a surge in alcohol-fueled parties. Eight violations of the 0.5 ‰ blood‑alcohol limit were recorded, including a boat carrying a five‑year‑old child who wore only swim‑flippers instead of a life jacket. Glass bottles, which are prohibited by local regulations, were also found on two vessels.

Chief Jörg Greiner of the Grünwalder police station warned that the Isar is a wild river with strong currents, submerged debris and hazardous sections such as the Isarwehr in Großhesselohe, where navigation is forbidden. He said the high frequency of weekend accidents forces large rescue operations involving fire brigades, water rescue teams and helicopters, underscoring the safety risks of combining alcohol with inflatable boating.