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Drama off Rügen: Sailing yacht in flames – sea rescuers save crew and dog!
Sea rescuers save sailing yacht off Rügen: Crew extinguished fire in the engine room themselves before being escorted safely to Zingst.
Drama off Rügen: Sailing yacht in flames – sea rescuers save crew and dog!
On June 11, 2025, there was a dramatic operation for the sea rescuers on the Baltic Sea off Rügen. A two-person crew on a sailing yacht made an emergency call after a fire broke out in the engine room. The quick reaction of the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons (DGzRS) prevented anything worse from happening because the crew had already tried to put out the fire themselves with several fire extinguishers, according to NDR.
In strong winds and high waves, the crew not only battled the fire, but also seasickness and difficulties with the sails. These challenging weather conditions presented the sailors with enormous challenges, which proved to be an additional burden. Thank God the sea rescuers were able to intervene in time and accompanied the yacht to Zingst, where the sea was finally calmer.
Rescue mission in extreme conditions
In the calm waters of Zingst, the rescuers had the opportunity to transfer to the sailing yacht via the daughter boat UWE. There, a sea rescuer helped the crew lower the sails, which noticeably eased the situation. In the end, the yacht with the crew and the dog was towed safely to the island port of Prerow, a task that took several hours and was completed on Wednesday evening, as Nordkurier reports.
The incident highlights safety when sailing, especially in difficult weather conditions. The DGzRS points out that the greatest danger when sailing is often overestimating one's own abilities. As Seenotretter notes, skippers and crews tend to trust themselves too much. Inexperienced sailors in particular often react exaggeratedly to small problems, especially when dealing with the electronics on board.
Pay attention to safety when sailing
In the current situation it is even more important to never lose respect for the sea and to stay in port, especially in bad weather conditions. Experience and the correct assessment of risks are crucial when sailing. Unfortunately, in many cases there is little time to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, which can have fatal consequences.
The incident off Rügen once again made it clear that both experience and a level-headed approach to sailing are essential in order to navigate safely through challenging situations.