DGzRS balance sheet 2025: 876 missions for water sports enthusiasts - including motorboat drivers

This classification is important for motorboaters: in many areas, there are often more sailing boats than motorboats in rougher conditions and on longer trips - they can continue sailing even in windy and wavy conditions, while many motorboats then stay in the harbour or choose shorter routes. This helps to explain why a large proportion of water sports activities are carried out by sailors. Nevertheless, the causes show very clearly where motorboat drivers are also particularly vulnerable: Technique, manoeuvring errors and ground contact.

Causes of use 2025 Water sports

(The DGzRS lists the causes for all water sports - including surfing, kitesurfing and trend sports - as well as separately for sailing vessels).

What the figures mean for motorboat drivers

As the table shows sailing vessels separately, the deployment figures for other vessels can be easily determined. One positive aspect that stands out is that there is no significant increase in the number of motorboat drivers being called out due to engine problems. Apparently, they take much better care of their primary drive than sailors do of their jockeys. In contrast, the total number of boats that have drifted away is strikingly high compared to sailing yachts. However, this is probably due to fishing boats whose crews underestimate the sea. With a 15 hp licence, you can go a long way out. However, if the wind and waves come up or the range is miscalculated, help is sometimes needed to get home. However, the statistics do not show this reason separately.

A total of 3,389 people helped

Across all types of operation, the sea rescuers helped in 2025 3,389 people (previous year: 2,967). 135 persons were rescued from distress at sea, 327 others rescued from danger. According to the DGzRS, the slight decrease in the number of missions compared to the previous year (1,723 instead of 1,775) is mainly due to the fact that fewer missions were launched without actual intervention. In contrast, the number of people who were helped increased significantly.

The missions do not only involve leisure boats: in 2025, the DGzRS also assisted fishing vessels, merchant ships and passengers on ferries and passenger ships.

New ambassador Laura Wontorra

From 2026, TV presenter and sports journalist Laura Wontorra will take on the honorary role of DGzRS ambassador. She wants to raise awareness of the importance of sea rescuers, not least because the DGzRS states that it is financed exclusively by donations and does not require any public funding. Author Klaus-Peter Wolf will remain with the organisation as an ambassador.

Fleet modernisation

The DGzRS is constantly modernising its fleet. On average, rescue units are in hard service for around 30 years, so older rescue cruisers and boats are constantly being replaced.

In 2025, two new sea rescue boats went into service: units of the new 8.4 metre class were christened at the Zinnowitz (Usedom) and Zingst stations. Special trailers and tractors are required there because the boats are used in two areas - on the Baltic Sea and in back waters.

Also under construction is the prototype of a new rescue boat (around 12.75 metres), which is to be tested at several stations. In addition, the contract for a new type of rescue cruiser with a daughter boat is about to be awarded.