In distress at sea: Classic boat's mast breaks at night in the fairway - couple rescued
Max Gasser
· 17.07.2023
The sea rescuers of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) rescued an elderly couple on Friday night. During the transfer of a classic yacht to Warnemünde, a devastating mast breakage occurred at around 3am. Attempts to free themselves from the tricky situation using the engine failed, as drifting lines got caught in the propeller.
However, the maritime rescue coordination centre was only informed at around 4.45 a.m., not by the casualties themselves, but by the crew of the "Nils Holgersson". The 230 metre long ferry was on its way from Trelleborg to Travemünde when light signals from a torch were noticed in the water at around Kühlungsborn.
Ferry and sea rescuers work together to save the couple
These came from the 9.5 metre long wooden sailing yacht, which was drifting in the dark in the middle of the ferries' fairway, unable to manoeuvre in waves about one metre high. After the crew of the ferry informed the rescue coordination centre of the situation, the volunteer crew of the "Konrad Otto" rescue boat stationed in Kühlungsborn was immediately alerted.
This might also interest you:
A few minutes later, the sea rescuers set sail and headed for the scene of the accident, about eight nautical miles off the mainland between Fehmarn and Kühlungsborn. Meanwhile, the ferry stopped and gave the sailing yacht shelter from the wind. When the sea rescuers reached the distressed sailing yacht, they went alongside in 4 to 5 Beaufort winds from the west and recovered the mast and floating lines and secured everything on board. The classic yacht was then towed to Kühlungsborn. The two sailors remained unharmed, according to the Announcement by the DGzRS.
Catamaran capsized- Further deployment for the sea rescuers at the weekend
Yesterday, Sunday, there was also a further distress at sea A sports catamaran capsized on the Schlei at around 9 a.m. at fairway buoy 83 in gusts of up to 7 Beaufort. As a result, only one of the two sailors managed to reach the catamaran, which was drifting fast due to the large surface area. However, he was unable to right it on his own.
The second man tried in vain to swim ashore at Kleine Breite in a short, steep swell. However, a guest at a hotel had observed the incident and alerted the sea rescuers. When the rescue boat "Herwil Götsch" arrived on the scene almost 15 minutes later, the crew only discovered the sailor in the swell when he raised his arms. The sea rescuers then pulled the man, who was already slightly hypothermic, on board.
Sailors receive first aid from the sea rescuers while still on board
In the meantime, the second sailor had drifted over 500 metres with the capsized catamaran. The sea rescuers reached the distressed sailor, brought him on board and took the catamaran in tow. Both sailors had to be treated on board, but recovered so well that no further medical treatment was necessary. The sailors and their catamaran were brought ashore shortly after 10 a.m. near Fahrdorf.
Other maritime emergencies:
Max Gasser
Editor Test & Technology
