die  Wasserschutzpolizei

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈvasɐˌʃʊt͡sˌpoliˌt͡saɪ/

👮‍♀️ What exactly is 'die Wasserschutzpolizei'?

The Wasserschutzpolizei (often abbreviated as WSP or WaPo) is a specialized organizational unit of the German state police forces (Landespolizeien). Its main task is the surveillance and security of navigable waterways such as rivers, canals, lakes, and coastal waters within Germany.

They enforce shipping regulations, investigate crimes and misdemeanors on the water, provide assistance in case of accidents (Havarien), and protect the environment in the maritime domain.

The word is feminine in German, so the article is always die: die Wasserschutzpolizei.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📘 Grammar Check: Die Wasserschutzpolizei

The noun "Wasserschutzpolizei" is feminine. It's typically used in the singular as it refers to an organization. A plural form is uncommon but grammatically possible ("die Wasserschutzpolizeien", e.g., when talking about the units of different federal states).

Declension (Singular)

Example Sentences

1. Die Wasserschutzpolizei kontrollierte das Sportboot auf dem Rhein. (The water police checked the sports boat on the Rhine.)
2. Ein Sprecher der Wasserschutzpolizei gab Auskunft über den Unfall. (A spokesperson for the water police provided information about the accident.)
3. Dem Skipper wurde von der Wasserschutzpolizei geholfen. (The skipper was helped by the water police.)
4. Wir haben gestern die Wasserschutzpolizei am Hafen gesehen. (We saw the water police at the harbor yesterday.)

🗣️ Everyday Usage

The term Wasserschutzpolizei is primarily used in official contexts, news reports, or accounts of incidents on waterways. In common parlance, you might sometimes hear the abbreviation WaPo or simply Wasserpolizei (water police).

• Context: Safety on inland and coastal waters, shipping law, environmental protection on water.
• Distinction: Die Küstenwache (Coast Guard) is a federal agency with partly overlapping but also different tasks (e.g., customs, fishery protection), whereas the Wasserschutzpolizei is part of the respective state police force.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic: Think of die Polizei (the police). Since the Wasserschutzpolizei is a type of police, it keeps the feminine article: die Wasserschutzpolizei.

Meaning Mnemonic: Break down the word: Wasser (water) + Schutz (protection) + Polizei (police). It's the police responsible for protection on the water.

🔄 Synonyms and Contrasts to Wasserschutzpolizei

⚠️ Note: Die Küstenwache (Coast Guard) is not the same as the Wasserschutzpolizei, even though it operates at sea.

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Tourist fragt einen Beamten der Wasserschutzpolizei: "Entschuldigen Sie, sind Sie wirklich für jedes Verbrechen auf dem Wasser zuständig?" Antwortet der Beamte: "Ja, warum?" Tourist: "Dann verhaften Sie bitte sofort die Wellen! Die klauen mir ständig meine Luftmatratze!" 😉

Translation: A tourist asks a water police officer: "Excuse me, are you really responsible for every crime on the water?" The officer replies: "Yes, why?" Tourist: "Then please arrest the waves immediately! They keep stealing my air mattress!"

📜 Poem about the Watch on the Water

Auf Flüssen breit, auf Seen so klar,
fährt die Wasserschutzpolizei, Jahr für Jahr.
Ihr Boot durchpflügt die sanfte Gischt,
damit kein Unrecht hier geschieht.
Sie schützen Schiffe, groß und klein,
und wachen über Ufersein.
Für Sicherheit auf blauer Bahn,
zieht sie stets wachsam ihren Plan.

Translation:
On rivers wide, on lakes so clear,
the Water Police sails, year after year.
Their boat cuts through the gentle spray,
so no injustice happens here today.
They protect ships, large and small,
and watch over the shore for all.
For safety on the blue pathway,
they vigilantly pursue their way.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich trage Uniform, doch fahr' kein Auto weit,
mein Revier ist nass, zu jeder Zeit.
Ich schütze Schiffe, Mensch und Tier,
auf Flüssen, Seen, wer bin ich hier?

Translation:
I wear a uniform, but drive no car far and wide,
My beat is wet, at any tide.
I protect ships, people, and fauna,
On rivers, lakes, who am I gonna
be?

Solution: Die Wasserschutzpolizei

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition: The word is a compound noun, composed of:

• Wasser: Refers to the area of operation (water - rivers, lakes, canals, coasts).
• Schutz: Refers to the task (protection - safety, hazard prevention, environmental protection).
• Polizei: Refers to the organization and its authority (police).

Organization: In Germany, the Wasserschutzpolizei falls under the jurisdiction of the federal states (Bundesländer). Each state with navigable waterways or coastlines generally maintains its own Wasserschutzpolizei as part of its state police force (Landespolizei).