Sea rescue in the Salzhaff: Yacht drifts into shallow waters in strong winds

The solo sailor was sailing from Kirchdorf on Poel to Kühlungsborn when the weather became increasingly stormy. South of the sandbank known as Kieler Ort, he sought shelter in the Salzhaff and dropped anchor with his sailing yacht, which was around nine metres long.

Shortly after midnight on 18 October 2026, the anchor failed to hold. With gusts of seven to eight on the Beaufort scale, the yacht was driven into shallow water, where rocks threatened to damage the hull. The man alerted the sea rescue service.

Around eight nautical miles in almost one and a half hours

The volunteer crew of the “Wolfgang Wiese” from the DGzRS station in Timmendorf on Poel set sail at 0.40. It took them nearly an hour and a half to cover the approximately eight nautical miles to the scene of the incident in rough seas. According to the DGzRS, the journey normally takes around 20 minutes.

The Map section showing Salzhaff and Poel shows the anchorage area south of Kieler Ort and the port of Timmendorf to aid spatial orientation.

On site, gusts of wind and rain showers made visibility difficult. The yacht was already so far out in shallow water that it was not initially possible to tow it free. The sea rescue team decided to bring the solo sailor ashore.

A lifeboat moored at the bow grabbed hold of the man as the ‘Wolfgang Wiese’ briefly came close enough to the yacht. The skipper then immediately backed away so that the lifeboat itself would not get snagged.

On Sunday 18 October, the sea rescue team also helped to free the yacht. The sailor was then able to sail his boat to a nearby harbour.

Anchoring safely: the seabed, anchoring gear and weather must all be right

The DGzRS’s statement does not explain why the anchor lost its grip in this instance. There is no information on the type of anchor or the length of chain deployed. It is not possible to deduce any specific equipment or operational fault from this.

To ensure a secure anchor hold, the anchor and the seabed must be compatible. It is equally important to use a sufficient length of anchor line and to lower the anchor in a controlled manner. Whether using a chain or an anchor line with a chain leader: the combination must be suited to the boat and the conditions. The practical guide to Anchoring with a motorboat explains the choice of rigging, the manoeuvres and the anchor watch.

Even a mooring that appears sheltered at first can become choppy if the weather changes. That is why the expected wind conditions and any swell must be taken into account when choosing an anchorage. The position should be checked regularly so that any drifting can be spotted early.

Webinar tip: This webinar explores in depth the choice of anchorage, suitable equipment and the procedure for anchoring. Webinar on anchoring with practical guidance.

What experiences have you had with an anchor slipping, and how did you realise it was drifting?