Whether technical assistance or life-saving missions - the tasks of sea rescuers are diverse. The helpers of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) proved this once again in 2024.
The crews at the 55 stations from Borkum in the west to Ueckermünde in the east reported a total of 1,775 missions. This represents a slight decrease compared to the previous year (2023: 1,938). They helped 2,967 people (3,532), rescued 79 people from distress at sea (103) and freed 403 people from dangerous situations at sea (402).
According to the annual balance sheet, they also transported over 243 sick or injured people to the mainland (304) and provided assistance to watercraft in 900 cases (986). In 26 cases, they were able to save ships and boats from total loss. They also carried out a total of 2,572 patrols along the North Sea and Baltic coasts.
SH ahead in the deployment comparison
In a comparison of the federal states, Schleswig-Holstein's Baltic coast was ahead in terms of the number of rescues last year. The sea rescuers were deployed here 662 times (689) and helped 1,001 people (1,176), including 37 from distress at sea (49) and 160 (144) from dangerous situations. The North Sea coast of Lower Saxony was in second place with 494 deployments (578) for a total of 735 people (1,066). There were fewer sea rescue missions in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: There were 453 (472) in 2024. Nevertheless, they helped the most people there with 1,017 people (973).
Sea rescuers help prevent environmental disaster
The sea rescuers remember one operation in particular. On 11 October 2024, a fire broke out for unknown reasons on the 73-metre-long oil and chemical tanker "Annika". The sea rescuers from the Kühlungsborn station were on site just one hour after the distress call was made by radio. The rescue boat "Wilma Sikorski" rescued the seven seamen from the burning tanker. The station's second vessel, the "Arkona", assisted the local authority vessels with the cooling and extinguishing work. This prevented anything worse from happening. According to the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the ship was carrying around 640 tonnes of oil.
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Writer becomes new DGzRS ambassador
Along with last year's deployment figures, the sea rescuers also presented this year's honorary ambassador. In 2025, author and screenwriter Klaus-Peter Wolf (71) will take over from the North German shanty rock band Santiano. Wolf is the creator of the Ostfriesland crime series and the second author to hold this honorary position after Frank Schätzing (2012). His books have been translated into 26 languages and sold over 15 million copies. More than 60 of his scripts have been made into films.
Sea rescuers in future in East Frisia crime thriller
"I am impressed by the ships, but above all by the sea rescuers who steer them. I will gladly make room for these people in my books," explains Wolf. When he took office, he announced that sea rescuers could play an important role in his next novel. "It's already working in my head," adds Wolf. He would like to create a literary monument to the DGzRS for its 160th anniversary in 2025, according to a statement from the sea rescuers.
In addition to the sea rescuers' anniversary, their well-known collection vessel is also celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. According to the organisation, around 13,000 of these distinctive collection tins, which are shaped like one of the first sea rescue rowing boats, are in use throughout Germany today.
Baptisms and the "Day of the Sea Rescuers"
This year, the anniversaries will be highlighted on the annual "Sea Rescuers' Day". On Sunday 27 July, the sea rescuers open their doors and boats to demonstrate their operational capabilities. Last year, this day of action attracted around 40,000 visitors. Two christenings are also planned for the spring: Two new 8.4-metre class units were stationed in Zinnowitz on Usedom and in Zingst in autumn 2024. These units are particularly mobile and can be deployed both on the Baltic Sea and in the Bodden.
