A missing wingfoiler triggered a major search operation off Fehmarn yesterday. The 51-year-old was found drifting on his board about 2.7 kilometres west of the coast after two hours. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) coordinated the operation, which involved sea rescuers, the federal police, the fire brigade and a helicopter.
The alarm was raised shortly after 7 pm when a female surfer reported the winger missing. She had lost sight of him around half an hour earlier. The DGzRS Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Bremen immediately alerted several rescue boats and other emergency services. Several rescue boats from Fehmarn and Heiligenhafen made their way to the search area. The Federal Police's "Bayreuth" rescue ship took over the coordination on site, while a helicopter and the fire brigade on land also supported the search. The neighbouring shipping industry was also asked to pay increased attention, and a tugboat also took part in the search.
Dramatic rescue at the last minute
After around two hours of intensive searching, emergency services on land reported a sighting, which was confirmed shortly afterwards by helicopter. The rescue boat "Romy Frank" reached the wingfoiler first, and the 51-year-old was found sitting on his board 1.5 nautical miles (around 2.7 kilometres) from the coast. He was wearing a wetsuit but was severely exhausted. The winger had got into difficulties after his wing was no longer usable due to a defect. The wind and current had then pushed him further and further out into the open Baltic Sea past Fehmarn's northernmost tip near Westermarkelsdorf. According to the rescuers, he had no chance of reaching land under his own power.
A volunteer sea doctor provided the rescued man with medical care. Although the wingsurfer was initially well under the circumstances, his condition deteriorated temporarily. The sea rescuers brought him to Puttgarden, where he was handed over to his family after further treatment.
This minor emergency highlights three important points for safety on the water:
- Check material before the start
- Let other people know where and for how long you want to drive
- In an emergency, hold on to the board as this provides the most buoyancy!
