At midday on 9 August, the skipper of a family crew from Hesse reported "pan-pan" from their folk boat. The reason for this was a broken mast, which they suffered about two nautical miles south of the Kiel lighthouse. The two adults, who were travelling together with their two children, were adrift in the fjord with their boat unable to manoeuvre. In view of the high volume of shipping traffic in this area and the unfavourable external conditions of almost seven force winds and one metre swell, there was a risk to their lives.
After notifying the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Bremen, the rescue cruiser "Berlin", which is stationed in Laboe, was informed immediately. According to the DGzRS rescuers, the "Scharhörn", a multi-purpose vessel belonging to the Waterways and Shipping Administration, also rushed to the family's aid. It launched its workboat, which took the sailors on board and later handed them over to the "Berlin"'s daughter ship. The latter brought the rescued sailors to Laboe unharmed. The Folkeboot was towed into the inner fjord by the "Scharhörn" workboat. Shortly after the naval memorial, the sea rescuers took it over and also towed it to Laboe.
A broken mast can happen to any sailor: Even exceptional skippers like Kevin Escoffier on board the " Holcim - PRB " in The Ocean Race or Tapio Lehtinen on his Swan 57 "Galiana WithSecure" in the Fastnet Race had to experience this.
The Berlin sailor Robert Stanjek it happened to him. After the disaster on the queen's stage, as co-skipper of Guyot Environment - Team Europe in the Ocean Race he was immediately confronted with the next misfortune. The Mast breakage on the fourth leg from Itaja í to Newport forced the team to give up and set course for Halifax harbour.
So what to do when the mast comes from above?
Mast breakage checklist:
- Is someone injured? If necessary, provide first aid and make an emergency call
- Do rigging parts endanger the crew or hull? Separate from the ship if necessary
- Salvage as many parts of the rig and sails as possible
- Bringing calm to the ship
- Clarify whether land can be reached under your own steam
- Make an emergency call if necessary
- Rig an emergency rig or head for the coast under engine power
If the emergency call is made as a result of a mast breakage because the ship is unable to manoeuvre and therefore cannot move to the next port under its own power using the emergency rig or the engine, the emergency message "Pan-Pan" must be used in radio communication. A "Mayday" should only be sent if the life of a crew member is in danger.
