When the barque "Johanne" sank off Spiekeroog in 1854, 77 of the 216 people on board lost their lives. The ship was travelling to the USA with emigrants and had already run into heavy weather off the East Frisian Islands and was ultimately in distress at sea. The islanders followed the tragedy, but they were powerless. At the time, there was no rescue system on the German coast. Calls for a change in this situation initially failed to have much effect.
Six years later, a similar disaster occurred off Borkum, and now the coastal inhabitants finally reacted. The first rescue centres were set up; they merged to form the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) in 1865. 29 May marks the 150th anniversary of this foundation, and over 81,000 people have been rescued by the DGzRS during its existence - reason enough for YACHT to pay tribute to the work of the sea rescuers in a major special.
Karolina Meyer-Schilf was granted access to the inner sanctum of the sea rescuers, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Bremen. In a report worth reading, she reports on the processes behind the scenes at a place where the men keep watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We also introduce you to the fleet of cruisers and boats and explain why which unit is stationed where. The well-known collection ships play an important role in financing the rescue service - Nils Theurer has compiled some astonishing facts from the past and present of the maritime bell jars. Furthermore, naval aviator Thorsten Bobzin comments on the current criticism of the state of the air rescue service.
Also in the new issue:
- The milestones of sea rescue
- The timetable for the anniversary celebrations in May and June
- Maritime emergencies that made history
