Thunderstorm surprise: Sailors from Lower Saxony saved in distress

distress in the Baltic Sea: Effects on the sailing community

Sassnitz (ots)

On July 23, 2024, two sailors from Lower Saxony had come into focus, which focuses not only on their security, but also that of the entire sailing community in the region.

The incident in detail

The two men started in Wolgast in the early morning to sail to the water rest area in Puddemin. Their approximately six meter long open wooden boats were easy to handle in calm weather. But around 5:45 p.m. they were surprised by a sudden thunderstorm. Strong winds and high waves meant that the boats ran full of water and threatened to tip over. At this critical moment, the sailors made an emergency call.

national and local rescue workers in action

The emergency call report was immediately taken. The sea boot of the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecker (DGZRS) “Wilma Sikorski” from Stralsund as well as the inflatable boat of the Water Protection Police (WSP) Stralsund and the rescue helicopter “Northern Rescue 2” were alerted. The emergency services were also supported by the voluntary fire departments of Zudar and Groß Schoritz as well as a radio patrol car from the WSP Sassnitz.

The consequences of the accident

Although the rescue workers reacted quickly, the two sailors themselves made it to the shore before help arrived. However, a boat was lost and sank about 100 meters in front of the beach. The men were lucky in misfortune; Despite hypothermia, they were brought to the Sana Hospital with an ambulance, where they could be released the same evening.

challenges for the sailing community

This incident throws a light on the dangers that sailors have to face in the Baltic Sea. Unpredictable weather conditions can quickly lead to life -threatening situations, which underlines the importance of security training for leisure sailors. According to experts, sailors should always keep an eye on current weather reports and be aware of how important both personal security measures and knowledge of the local emergency services are.

joint efforts to improve security

The cooperation between various emergency services and voluntary organizations shows the strength of the community. Fortunately, while the incident went without tragic consequences, it is important to draw teachings from it. The water protection police are currently still investigating in order to better understand the exact circumstances of the incident and to avoid similar situations in the future.