Sea rescuers in Wilhelmshaven: a day full of adventure and helper heart!

Sea rescuers in Wilhelmshaven: a day full of adventure and helper heart!

Wilhelmshaven, Deutschland - On July 14, 2025, numerous interested parties gathered in Wilhelmshaven to give the fascinating and vital work of the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecker (DGZRS) a deeper look. On this day there was an “open house” in the DGZRS station at the flood port, which was used by many as a perfect opportunity to learn more about the challenges and impressive missions of the sea rescuers. The program offered exciting discussions with volunteers and the opportunity to watch up close in exercises.

The event took place at the station building, while the sea rescue cruiser "Bernhard Gruben" lay on the mole and organized an open ship for visitors. But if you wanted to be on board, you had to be patient, because due to the limited number of seats there was longer waiting times. But the enthusiasm of the visitors was unbroken when the cruiser, together with the daughter boat "Johann Fidi" and the lifeboat "Peter Habig", performed an impressive human-overboard maneuver, which was accompanied by a helicopter. This spectacle attracted many eyes, and many visitors pulled out their cameras to capture the campaign.

The history of the sea rescuers

The DGZRS can look back on a long tradition that started 160 years ago. The organization was founded in 1865 by Georg Breusing, Adolph Bermpohl and Arwed Emminghaus. In the first few years, the willingness of the population to save shipwrecked was low, which started a retention process through two terrible shipping gap in 1854 and 1860. Since its foundation, the DGZRS has saved around 87,000 people from Akuter distress and has been in use about 2,000 times on the North and Baltic Sea in 2023 alone. These numbers impressively demonstrate the importance and necessity of this organization.

An essential part of your work is the constant operational readiness at sea. This is not an easy task, and yet around 1,000 rescuers, many of them, are available at 55 stations along the coasts. The DGZRS has financed itself completely by donations since its foundation and attaches great importance to political neutrality. Interestingly, all persons who have come into distress were saved during the Second World War, regardless of their origin.

technological progress and human helpfulness

With time, not only has the social attitude towards sea rescue has changed, but also the technology. From the initial rudder rescue boats, the DGZRS towards modern sea rescue crossers have developed, which are driven by diesel engines. Nevertheless, people are the focus of this important work. As the DGZRS summarizes: "Drive out when others come in" is considered to be the motto, which describes the unshakable determination of the sea rescuers, even under the most difficult conditions.

To make the day even more interesting, a water basin for model ships was installed, in which small remote -controlled boats made their rounds, while the visitors looked at the various options, even on rescue units, such as the "Peter Habig". The event attracted not only people from Wilhelmshaven, but also from the entire region and North Rhine-Westphalia. The future of sea rescue appears to be secure as long as people support these important forces and appreciate their work.

As the DGZRS has repeatedly demonstrated, your work is not only a technical challenge, but also an expression of human solidarity and unselfish help. This makes the sea rescuers an indispensable institution in Germany. While the organization is still dependent on donations, the look into the future remains optimistic and determined.

For everyone who wants to learn more about the heroic deeds of the sea rescuers, the next appointment is already in sight: On July 27, another “open day” will take place, in which even more insights into the important work of the DGZRs will be given. Don't miss the chance!

For more information, please visit the pages of ZDF today and Seenotretter.de .