In distress off Heligoland: Pleasure craft collides with the legendary lightship "Elbe 1"

In a collision between a sailing boat and the museum lightship "Bürgermeister O'Swald II", also known as "Elbe 1", an 11.50-metre-long pleasure craft was severely damaged off Heligoland on the night of Sunday, 7 June 2026. The mast of the Dutch sailing vessel broke, but the two occupants were uninjured. The lightship involved is considered to be the most rammed in Europe: in its 40 years of service, it has been hit by other vessels more than 50 times.

Rescue operation at night

According to the sea rescuers, the crew of the "Bürgermeister O'Swald II" alerted the surrounding shipping via Channel 16 immediately after the collision, whereupon the DGzRS rescue cruiser "Hermann Marwede" stationed on Heligoland and the dinghy of the multi-purpose vessel "Neuwerk" of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) set out.

The sea rescuers established a towing connection with the daughter boat "Verena" and brought the damaged sailing boat safely to Heligoland harbour. There, the crew was welcomed by friends.

It is not yet clear how the yacht, which was sailing under full sail, collided with the 57 metre long lightship. The Helgoland water police have started an investigation.

Lightship was returning from Föhr

The "Bürgermeister O'Swald II" had previously been a guest on Föhr and moored in Wyk harbour. From 4 to 6 June 2026, the imposing ship was moored at jetty 1 on the Alte Mole in Wyk. During the "Open Ship", guests and islanders were able to view the floating monument free of charge between 10 am and 5 pm. The historic lightship was apparently on its way from Föhr to Heligoland when the collision occurred on Sunday night.

The most rammed lightship in Europe

The lightship in question, "Bürgermeister O'Swald II", also known as "Elbe 1", has an eventful history: During its 40 years of service, the ship was rammed over fifty times by other vessels. This makes it the most frequently rammed lightship in Europe.

The "Bürgermeister O'Swald II" was built between 1941 and 1948 at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg and was laid up in the Elbe estuary for the first time on 9 November 1948. The ship was moored at position Elbe 1, 15 nautical miles off Cuxhaven, where ships coming from the sea head for the Elbe fairway. In April 1988, after 40 years in service, the "Red Lady" retired from service.

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Life as a museum ship: tours, cruises and weddings

In June 1990, the ship was reopened as a museum ship. After being decommissioned, it was acquired by the city of Cuxhaven. Since then, it has been looked after by the "Feuerschiff-Verein ELBE 1 von 2001 e.V.". The special thing about it: The ship can also make trips to maritime events in other harbours and also takes guests on board.

When it is not at sea, it can be visited during the summer months from April to October in Cuxhaven at the "Alte Liebe". The accommodation with cabins, galley, crew and officers' mess are open to visitors, as are the impressive engine room and, of course, the bridge. The regular trips to the island of Helgoland in the summer months offer a special kind of museum visit.

Heligoland celebrates 200 years as a seaside resort

The accident happened on the weekend of the big anniversary celebrations: on 6 June 2026, Heligoland celebrated its 200th anniversary as a North Sea health resort with a colourful street festival, music and a historical parade. The rescue cruiser "Hermann Marwede", which was used in the rescue operation, was also part of the festive programme.