In the past sailing season, sea rescuers were again called out more often than in the previous year. What is particularly exciting about the balance sheet, however, is that for the first time there are now also figures for missions that were explicitly organised for sailors. Previously, only data for all water sports enthusiasts together had been published in the DGzRS balance sheet, meaning that an interpretation of the statistics had to remain vague.
From January to the end of October, the DGzRS was called out a total of 747 times for sailors, compared to 641 missions in the same period last year. The missing months of November and December are of little relevance to the statistics, as there are hardly any water sports enthusiasts travelling on the North Sea and Baltic Sea during this time.
The rescuers counted a total of 1865 missions, which is 260 more than in 2020 - probably also because more boats were travelling on the North Sea and Baltic Sea again in 2021 despite the ongoing pandemic. However, the level of the pre-corona year 2019 had not yet been reached again. Back then, around 60 rescue cruisers were called out on 1979 missions.
1155 cases involved water sports enthusiasts last year, around 100 more than in 2020. Engine problems continue to be the leading cause of accidents, followed by grounding. This is the result of the long-term comparison that YACHT regularly compiles based on the sea rescue statistics (see image gallery).
