A woman aged around 35 had to be rescued today, Friday 18 September 2026, approximately nine nautical miles north-east of Heligoland received medical treatment. According to the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS), she was severely weakened and suffering from hypothermia due to seasickness and dehydration. As the sailing yacht was pitching violently in heavy seas, the helicopter crew were unable to land directly on board. The emergency doctor and paramedic initially transferred to the sea-rescue cruiser “Hermann Marwede”. Its tender, the “Verena”, later took the patient from the yacht and brought her on board the cruiser. On Heligoland, she was handed over to the land-based ambulance service.
Emergency call on VHF channel 16
The six people on board the sailing yacht, which was just under twelve metres long, had alerted the sea rescue service via VHF channel 16 at around 11.40 am. According to the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS), the boat was located around nine nautical miles north-east of Heligoland. Three crew members were suffering from severe seasickness. The 35-year-old woman was particularly weak and showing signs of dehydration.
The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Bremen, the maritime rescue control centre operated by the DGzRS, alerted the “Hermann Marwede”, which is stationed on Heligoland, as well as a rescue helicopter from NHC Northern Helicopter. The 46-metre-long cruiser belongs to the German Bight/Heligoland Sea Rescue Station and is intended for operations in the German Bight.
Medical team dropped off at the cruiser
The helicopter reached the yacht before the rescue cruiser did. However, due to the vessel’s violent pitching in the rough seas, the emergency doctor and paramedic were unable to be winched directly onto the sailing yacht. The helicopter therefore lowered both of them onto the “Hermann Marwede” using the winch.
In the meantime, the patient’s condition had deteriorated further, even though her fellow sailors had already provided her with warm blankets and woollen blankets. The sea rescue team then used their support boat, the ‘Verena’, to take the medical team out to the yacht.
The emergency tug “Nordic”, which was stationed at sea to the east of Heligoland, provided a lee. This shelter from the wind made it easier for the “Verena” to come alongside the heavily rocking sailing yacht. The rescuers took the woman aboard the tender and brought her to the ‘Hermann Marwede’. Medical treatment continued in the ship’s infirmary.
Handover on Heligoland
On Heligoland, the crew handed the patient over to the onshore ambulance service, which took her to the island hospital.
This operation demonstrates how quickly a medical emergency at sea can become complex in heavy weather. The weather conditions made it impossible for the helicopter to land directly on the yacht. Nevertheless, the coordinated efforts of the rescue cruiser, the tender, the helicopter and the emergency tug created the conditions necessary for a safe handover.
For crews, VHF emergency and calling channel 16 remains a key means of raising the alarm at an early stage. The DGzRS describes this in its article on Training and alerting of sea rescue personnel, how the See Rescue Coordination Centre coordinates operations. The risks that can arise as conditions deteriorate were also recently highlighted by the Rescue of a solo sailor in a winter storm off Heligoland.
Book recommendations
Medicine at Sea covers medical emergencies under the specific conditions on board. The handbook explains how even non-medical personnel can recognise symptoms, administer first aid and prepare to provide assistance via radio. For practical use on board, it contains guidance on accident prevention, emergency equipment and the on-board first-aid kit. This systematic preparation is particularly helpful when dealing with a person who is weak or suffering from hypothermia, until professional help arrives.
First aid on board – medical charts are designed to provide a concise overview of common medical emergencies. The charts guide users through the examination and initial treatment of injured and ill patients, and also include information that doctors need when providing care via radio. The reference work is supplemented by guidance on medical equipment and the on-board first-aid kit. It is therefore aimed primarily at crews who need to act quickly and in a structured manner in an emergency.
How do you prepare your crew for seasickness, hypothermia and medical emergencies in heavy weather?
Ursula Meer
Redakteurin Panorama und Reise