The start of the boating season not only brings more recreational boaters to the waters, but also significantly more work for the rescue services. DLRG, fire brigades, water police and sea rescuers traditionally see an increase in the number of call-outs from Easter onwards. The past Easter weekend confirmed this trend.
Motorised catamaran threatened to sink in Büdelsdorf
On Sunday afternoon, the fire brigade had to be called out to the Büdelsdorf Yacht Club on the Obereider. A catamaran moored at the jetty was threatening to sink and was already listing to port when the first firefighters arrived. In the meantime, the district fire brigade association announced that the vessel had been undergoing conversion. There were several openings in the hull. Presumably the strong wind was pushing water into the interior of the vessel, which ultimately led to it listing.
Securing the boat proved to be no easy task. In addition to the fire brigade, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief was also on site with several boats. A crane from the THW Pinneberg was positioned for a possible salvage operation. Divers from the THW in Schleswig discovered several openings in the hull through which water was penetrating.
To prevent a possible environmental hazard, the emergency services deployed oil booms as a precaution. Using an underwater drone from the Borgstedt fire brigade, the helpers attempted to localise further damage to the hull. However, this was only partially successful.
The incident command ultimately decided to have the catamaran additionally secured with lines by divers. The owner has now been asked to commission a specialised company to salvage the catamaran. A total of around 90 emergency crews were on site.
Motor yacht with defect near Emmerich
Another accident occurred on the Rhine near Emmerich. A motor yacht suffered an engine failure and was unable to manoeuvre. The water police and local rescue services were deployed to secure the damaged vessel.
The emergency services towed the yacht safely into the harbour. The vessel was moored there without further incident. No persons were injured in the incident. Despite the technical defect, the yacht remained afloat and posed no danger to other road users on the Rhine.
Collision in Brunsbüttel marina
And already on Maundy Thursday, there was a minor collision between two motor yachts in Brunsbüttel marina in the late afternoon. According to initial findings, the skipper of a motor yacht touched a moored motor yacht while attempting to moor. Both boats sustained minor damage.
The police called in arrange for the skipper of the motor yacht to undergo a breath test. The result was 0.31 per mille. Witnesses also described the skipper's unsafe driving behaviour. Against this background, the waterway police ordered two blood samples.
The officers point out that even low alcohol consumption on the water can impair the ability to react and drive a boat safely. As in road traffic, a skipper can be liable to prosecution from as little as 0.3 per mille if there are signs of alcohol-related impairment.
Pascal Schürmann
Editor YACHT
