On Tuesday evening at around 17:30, a skipper overboard incident occurred on the Schlei near Ulsnis, which, as reported by Förde.news, triggered a large-scale operation by the fire brigade, rescue services and sea rescuers. A sailor was hit by the main boom and apparently went overboard due to the impact. The skipper was wearing a lifejacket and was able to swim to the nearby "Dreispitz" bathing area on his own.
Rapid response from the emergency services
Witnesses on land observed the incident and immediately called the emergency services. A rescue helicopter landed a short time later in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. The crew immediately attended to the casualty, who was uninjured.
Pilotless boat drifts away
While the emergency services examined and cared for the sailor, his pilotless yngling continued to drift across the Schlei towards the Schwansen shore. The initially unclear situation and the drifting boat led to the volunteer fire brigades from Bohnert, Kosel and Eckernförde also being alerted on the Schwansen side. The rescue boat "Herwil Götsch" from the DGzRS centre in Schleswig also rushed to the scene.
Successful rescue and happy ending
The sea rescuers were finally able to secure the drifting sailing boat and tow it ashore. After being examined by the rescue service, the sailor was brought home safely by the fire brigade. The rescue operation was successfully concluded after just over an hour.
Importance of safety equipment
This incident once again demonstrates the importance of appropriate safety equipment when sailing. The casualty's life jacket proved to be a lifesaver and enabled him to pull himself to safety despite the shock. Water sports enthusiasts should always wear the recommended safety equipment and be aware of the potential dangers, even in supposedly harmless conditions.
Coordinated deployment of the emergency services
The accident also demonstrates the excellent cooperation and coordination between the various rescue organisations. The rapid response and professional approach of the emergency services were crucial to the positive outcome of this potentially dangerous incident.
Click here for the report "The DGzRS sea rescue boats and their missions"
These were the most impressive missions of the DGZRS in 2024.
