The four were initially stranded off the East Frisian island of Norderney. A short time later, their two-master was filled to the waterline. The DGzRS rescuers brought the sailors safely ashore with the rescue cruiser "Hans Hackmack".
At around 6.50 p.m. on 24 September, both the Bremen Rescue coastal radio station and the rescue cruiser "Hans Hackmack", currently stationed on Norderney, received an emergency message from an English gaff-rigged ketch: it had got stuck in the Schluchter shipping channel northwest of the East Frisian island with four people - two adults and two children - on board. The sea rescuers immediately cast off the lines and set course for the two-master with a wooden hull.
When they arrived at the scene - slightly southwest of buoy D5/S8 - the sea rescuers first tried to establish a line connection in the dangerous surf zone: a difficult undertaking in a force five northerly wind and a swell of up to two metres. "The distressed vessel was lying across the sea and was repeatedly washed over by the waves," says foreman Tobias von Fromberg, describing the situation. Nevertheless, the crew of the "Hans Hackmack" eventually managed to make the line connection. However, the cleat to which the towline on the sailing boat was attached tore out of its anchorage during the thaw.
In order to get closer to the two-master, the sea rescuers launched the daughter boat "Emmi". Almost at the same time, the crew of the Gaffelketsch suddenly sent out a mayday call - signalling imminent danger to life. The situation on board had escalated dramatically: by now, the shipwrecked vessel was already full to the waterline. It was not clear at the time whether a leak or the overflowing water was the cause. The family, whose lives were in danger, had to be taken off the shipwrecked vessel as quickly as possible and brought to safety.
The rescuers went alongside the two-master with the daughter boat. They hurriedly took the two adults and the two children on board along with their cuddly toy. Everyone was visibly shocked but unharmed. The "Hans Hackmack" took her daughter boat back on board and sailed to a safe harbour. The Wilhelmshaven waterway police have begun investigating the cause of the accident.
It was not the first mission of the day for the sea rescuers from the Norderney station: they had previously towed in two motorboats with engine damage - routine, not nearly as dramatic as their most recent rescue operation on Saturday.
Source: DGzRS press release
