Sea rescue balance sheet: Almost 2,000 missions on the North Sea and Baltic Sea last year
Pascal Schürmann
· 17.01.2024
Overall, the rescuers at their stations in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had slightly more work than in the previous year. The exact number of deployments totalled 1,938, compared to 1,883 in 2022. They helped 3,532 people (2022: 3,289). Of these, 103 (2022: 91) were rescued from distress at sea and a further 402 (2022: 306) were rescued from danger.
The missions include technical assistance, patient transport, towing assistance and search and rescue operations. In 2023, the sea rescuers came to the aid of numerous fishing vessels and their crews, for example, and were also deployed many times to help seafarers on merchant ships and passengers on ferries and passenger ships. Water sports enthusiasts were also able to rely on the help of the DGzRS crews.
In particular, the collision between the cargo ships "Verity" and "Polesie" in the German Bight at the end of October 2023 resulted in one of the most extensive operations by sea rescuers in recent years. Among other things, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre coordinated all search and rescue measures during the operation, which lasted more than 18 hours and involved around 25 ships and aircraft. Two seamen were rescued, five others lost their lives when the "Verity" sank.
"Santiano" succeeds Linus Erdmann as honorary ambassador
Last year, the sea rescuers received special support from their ambassador Linus Erdmann. The eight-time and reigning German kitesurfing champion supported the DGzRS at events, film shoots and in prevention. Erdmann says:
Despite the greatest care and best preparation, something unforeseen can quickly happen to water sports enthusiasts like me, but also to all seafarers. That's why it's so good that the sea rescuers are always there for everyone at sea"
The new honorary ambassador for the sea rescuers from 2024 is the North German band "Santiano". Since their very first tour eleven years ago, a collection boat has been present at every concert; year after year, the musicians generously round up the donations from their fans. Singer Björn Both says:
As people who spend a lot of time at sea ourselves, we greatly appreciate the sea rescuers. We take our hats off to their selfless, challenging and deeply human endeavours"
In spring 2023, violinist Pete Sage experienced first-hand just how important sea rescuers are. The crew of the rescue cruiser "Berlin" from the Laboe station rescued him and his wife after their sailing yacht sank in the Bay of Kiel. Sudden heavy water ingress had forced them to abandon their ship. Sage: "The sea rescuers saved our lives. They looked after us in a picture-perfect and caring manner. I am happy and delighted with such capable people."
More on the topic: The band members and their (sunken) yachts
"Santiano" is the 25th honorary ambassador for the sea rescuers. The series also began musically in 2000 with singer-songwriter Reinhard Mey.
The 2023 deployment figures in detail (figures from 2022 in brackets)
In 2023, the crews of around 60 rescue cruisers and boats in the North Sea and Baltic Sea provided assistance to 3,532 (3,289) people on a total of 1,938 missions (2022: 1,883 missions). In detail, they have
-103 (91) People rescued from distress at sea,
-402 (306) People freed from imminent danger,
-304 (361) times sick or injured people were transported from seagoing vessels, islands or Halligen
to the mainland,
-40 (39) Ships and boats saved from total loss,
-986 (920) Assistance provided for watercraft of all kinds and
-607 (564) operational starts and safety runs completed.
In many cases, the sea rescuers intervened at an early stage, limiting damage before it occurred. They also went on more than 2,500 patrols in their areas between Borkum in the west and Ueckermünde in the east.
More on the topic: Maritime emergencies in the North and South
Since its foundation on 29 May 1865, the DGzRS has rescued a total of 86,826 people from distress at sea or rescued them from dangerous situations at sea by the end of 2023.
The operations are divided by coastal region:
Lower Saxony's North Sea coast:578 (592) missions / 1,066 (1,134) people helped. Of these, 39 (30) people were rescued from distress at sea and 97 (63) others were freed from dangerous situations.
Schleswig-Holstein North Sea coast:199 (188) missions / 317 (330) people helped. Of which 1 (6) person(s) rescued from distress at sea and 98 (22) others rescued from dangerous situations.
Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea coast:689 (642) missions / 1,176 (967) people helped. Of these, 49 (39) people were rescued from distress at sea and a further 144 (116) rescued from dangerous situations.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Baltic Sea coast:472 (461) missions / 973 (858) people helped. Of these, 14 (16) people were rescued from distress at sea and a further 63 (105) rescued from dangerous situations.
