"Good morning, MRCC Bremen. This is the 'Nis Randers'. We're leaving for the inspection voyage towards Prerow." The radio crackles briefly, then Frank Weinhold receives confirmation from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Bremen. Weinhold is the first foreman of the latest 28-metre rescue cruiser of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS). The SK42, christened with the traditional name "Nis Randers", was laid down in 2020 as the sixth of its class at the Fassmer shipyard and is moored in the new island harbour of Prerow near Darßer Ort.
More articles and exciting reports on the DGzRS sea rescuers:
Ready for use around the clock
Before Weinhold joined the DGzRS 18 years ago, he spent several years at sea as a captain on coastal fishing and marine research vessels. A big difference: "In the logbooks of the other ships, the standard procedure was to 'make ready for sea' before setting sail. We don't need to do that here. The 'Nis Randers' is ready for sea around the clock, all year round. The engines are always warm, so we can set sail at full speed at any time." Like all DGzRS rescue units, the "Nis Randers" was built as a self-righting vessel made of seawater-resistant aluminium. She carries her 8-metre daughter boat in the stern hull, which can operate independently of the mother ship at sea. In reference to the ballad by the writer Otto Ernst, to which the "Nis Randers" owes its name, the daughter boat is called "Uwe" - after the brother of the title character who was thought to be lost and then rescued, symbolising the ideal image of a sea rescuer.
Always vigilant, even on patrol
In 2021, the "Nis Randers" was put into service at the Darßer Ort port of refuge. Since the closure of the port in autumn 2023, she has been moored in the supply port and alternative berth at Barhöft near Stralsund. From here, Weinhold navigates the cruiser through the narrow, buoyed fairway towards the open sea. The shallow water area requires maximum concentration. It is not uncommon for the crew to spot boaters in need of assistance during their patrols. "The shallow waters and narrow channels are treacherous," explains Weinhold. "The shifting wind often creates currents that push the water in and out of the Bodden waters in a similar way to the tidal current. If you don't navigate correctly here, you will quickly run aground. That's why we always keep a close eye on how and where the boats are moving on our inspection trips." After years of experience, he has a feeling when something dangerous could develop, says Weinhold. "Sometimes it's enough to see how a ship is travelling from a distance to suspect that something is wrong on board. And then we get on board - rather once too often than not in time."
No two operations are the same
Festive drivers and technical assistance are the most common reasons for deployment. According to Weinhold, they have already travelled to around 60 operations this year. "And the year isn't over yet." It is mid-September. Many water sports enthusiasts are still out and about. From capsized dinghies and exhausted kiters to ditched aeroplanes and hot-air balloons - foreman Weinhold and his crew have already seen and experienced a lot. "We had our last mission last night. There were three capsized canoeists clinging to their boat." It is often passers-by on land or other water sports enthusiasts who observe something and make an emergency call. If an emergency call is received via channel 16, the MRCC rescue coordination centre in Bremen takes over and coordinates the rescue. The marine radio on board the "Nis Randers" operates day and night.
Second home: temporary shared flat for men
The regular crew consists of nine permanently employed sea rescuers, four of whom are on watch for 14 days at a time. This means that four people work, live and sleep on board for a fortnight. This temporary male flat-sharing community is very "intensive", says Weinhold. "It only works if everyone gets involved and takes a step back from time to time. But if the chemistry is right, then it's really fun. It's a bit like family and home. I sleep in my bunk here on board more often than in my bed on land. Because when I'm with my family, I'm also travelling sometimes. Here I'm tied to the ship for 14 days." At first glance, the 14-day shift pattern sounds like a big sacrifice in terms of free time and family time. But for several crew members on board the "Nis Randers", this system was actually a reason for their application. Engineer Frank Kasüske used to be on the move for twelve weeks at a time. And the 14-day rotation was also an incentive for his colleague Olaf David to apply to the DGzRS. After his time in the navy and his studies to become a nautical ship's officer, he made a conscious decision not to go to sea in order to spend more time with his wife.
Practising for an emergency
The day begins at 7.30 a.m. with a joint breakfast and a briefing. "We check the weather and report it to the control centre in Bremen. Then we clarify who has to do what, whether we need to plan a patrol, what needs to be maintained, checked and practised," says Weinhold. Training the volunteers is also regularly on the agenda. But everyday things also need to be organised: Who goes shopping, who cooks, who cleans the galley? "Of course, not everything is always peace, joy and pancakes. But then we talk about it," says Weinhold. The assignments are also discussed afterwards. Especially those that are not routine. "Operations where people come to harm can really get to us. Then you talk about it. If only because you can learn something from every case." The biggest challenge is to always be alert and react quickly to specific situations. "You can't predict what to expect out there," says Weinhold. "The only preparation is to practise, practise, practise." The two to three inspection trips per week are primarily about checking the technical systems and equipment. However, the sea rescuers also often use challenging weather conditions to practise. "You prick up your ears when a thunderstorm is approaching," says Weinhold. The slogan "You go out when others come in" doesn't just apply to rescue missions. There is no point in always training in good weather, when the conditions in an emergency are usually different. Just when you think you've seen and done everything, it becomes dangerous, says Weinhold. "I always say it's like cats. Cats play so that they can hunt properly later. And that's what we're doing now. Please hold on tight!"
The territory of the "Nis Randers"
With these words, the foreman pushes the throttle lever forwards as far as it will go. The "Nis Randers" leaves the buoyed fairway and sets course for the island harbour of Prerow to the west - the only harbour on the long journey from Warnemünde to Hiddensee and Rügen. The return journey can be particularly dangerous in south-westerly winds. One of the largest ship graveyards in the Baltic Sea is located off Darßer Ort. The station is also of crucial importance because it is located in the immediate vicinity of the Kadet Channel, which is one of the busiest sea routes in Europe with over 60,000 transits per year. A dark storm front has built up on the horizon. The wave coming from the side is causing the cruiser to roll quite a bit and the spray is hitting the windows of the deckhouse. Weinhold turns to his colleague: "Can you check if the gulls are spinning, please?" - referring to the large, white rotating blades of the radar system, an essential tool in the search for missing persons at sea.
4,000 hp accelerate the Nis Randers to 24 knots
At the rear, machine operator Frank Kasüske sits at the monitors and keeps an eye on the machine. "The machine" in this case is two 2,000 hp MTU propulsion systems, which accelerate the 120 tonnes to a top speed of 24 knots. Machines have always been Kasüske's thing. On the "Nis Randers" he has to deal with the latest technology and lots of electronics. But the most important work steps are basically the same as on any other ship. Several times a day, he checks the oil and water levels, looks out for leaks and listens for unusual noises. The computer tells him what is due next according to the maintenance interval. "There's always something to do. It never gets boring." Above all, because although everyone has their own area of responsibility, they have to be able to do everything when on duty. Training at the DGzRS is therefore broad-based. "As a captain, I already had my licence and basic medical training," says Frank Weinhold. "But as a sea rescuer, you need more. I had to do a lot of courses. Survival and safety at sea, English, medicine, driving an ambulance. Each of us can steer a daughter boat and cruiser and provide medical assistance."
The names of the donors travel with
Special attention was paid to first aid on board the new 28-metre class. Instead of in the mess, the rescued are treated in the on-board hospital, which is equipped like a shore ambulance. On the way there, you pass the "Gallery of Donors" in the companionway: 140 silver aluminium plaques thank the donors who made the construction of the ship possible. For donations of 5,000 euros or more, the donor's name will appear on every mission. Contrary to tradition, the name of the new cruiser was announced before the christening. DGzRS Chairman Gerhard Harder explained the unusually high level of donations that followed by saying that the name "Nis Randers" stands like no other for the voluntary, selfless willingness of the sea rescuers to undertake often dangerous missions on the North and Baltic Seas.
After a good hour and a half's journey, the "Nis Randers" approaches its future new harbour of departure. The island port of Prerow is located at the head of a 700 metre long pier. The sea rescuers are more centrally located here and are on site more quickly than in Barhöft, 50 kilometres further east, where they first have to negotiate the narrow channel. In extreme weather conditions, however, the harbour is very difficult to approach, especially with damaged vessels in tow. In such cases, for bunkering and crew changes, they will therefore continue to keep their alternative berth in Barhöft. If you ask Frank Weinhold what motivates him to dedicate the majority of his life to sea rescue, he says the answer is obvious: "To help other people."
