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Hiddensee ferry runs aground: passengers stay calm!
On June 19, 2025, a Hiddensee ferry ran aground due to technical defects. Sea rescuers were on duty.
Hiddensee ferry runs aground: passengers stay calm!
On Wednesday, June 19, 2025, the passenger ferry "Hiddensee Island" caused a stir when it ran aground due to technical problems between the popular islands of Rügen and Hiddensee. A defective relay in the steering system had maneuvered the 40-meter-long ship out of its fairway and into shallow water. Fortunately, the 138 passengers accepted the situation calmly, while the sea rescue boat "Nausicaa" initially tried in vain to tow the ferry free.
The “Island of Hiddensee” received support from the sea rescue cruiser “Nis Randers”, which has a whopping 4,000 hp. It took about an hour until the ship was pulled back into deeper water. After a successful test drive, the ferry was then released again. In order to avoid similar incidents in the future, all relays were replaced as a precaution NDR reported.
A similar incident occurred in January 2024, when the ferry MS "Gellen", also around 40 meters long, ran aground in the Baltic Sea off Hiddensee. There were eight passengers and four crew members on board when the ferry ran aground in force 7 to 8 winds. However, with the help of the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked Persons (DGzRS), the ship was quickly returned to deeper water. Fortunately, the passengers remained uninjured and finally reached the port of Vitte n-tv reported.
Efficient sea rescue in action
Since its founding in 1865, the DGzRS has been an indispensable institution for security on the German seas. Over 87,000 people have been saved in its 160-year history. Technological advances, such as diesel engines and modern sea rescue cruisers, continue to improve the efficiency of operations. In 2023, the sea rescuers were deployed around 2,000 times on the North and Baltic Seas. Alerting is now carried out using modern communication technologies, which were previously only possible verbally ZDF shows.
The DGzRS is financed through donations and remains politically neutral. Around 1,000 rescuers, including many volunteers, are ready for action at 55 stations. Their motto “Go out when others come in” aptly describes the dedication required to stay safe on the waters.
Given recent events, it is pleasing to see that both passengers and crew remained unharmed in these dangerous situations. This speaks for the professionalism and commitment of the sea rescue workers, who are always at our side in difficult situations.