Antwerp’s floating swimming pool sinks to bottom of Scheldt

The Badboot, an open-air swimming pool floating in the river Scheldt in Antwerp, sank on Friday, despite attempts by the fire brigade to save it. The Badboot, which opened in the summer of 2012, consisted of a floating swimming pool and separate children’s pool for 120 swimmers.

The Badboot was attached to a ship with a sundeck, bar and restaurant at the Kattendijk dock near the city’s MAS museum. It was built by HSS shipyards in the Netherlands.

According to reports, the Badboot started taking on water and was quickly evacuated. The pool section broke away from the rest of the vessel as a result of the weight of the water streaming in, broke in two pieces and sank within half an hour. The remaining part of the ship was secured by the fire brigade.

The Badboot had become a popular attraction for the people of Antwerp and for visitors – not only in summer but also in winter, when it was turned into a floating ice rink. It was also a popular venue for organised events. On Friday evening it was due to host a boxing gala.                                                                                                                    

Whether the pool will be brought to the surface is not yet known, nor is the cause of the sinking. An investigation is underway.

Photo: Rescue workers save part of the Badboot, which broke away from the swimming structure on Friday

©Jonas Roosens/BELGA