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Major operation in the Baltic Sea: fire on oil tanker “Annika” under control

A serious fire on the oil tanker “Annika” off Kühlungsborn is causing great concern. The tanker, which is still burning in the engine room, is being towed to the port of Rostock for further extinguishing work. According to the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, the extinguishing work continues from the shore.

Extinguishing work and emergency services

Emergency crews from the Rostock and Kiel fire departments were on board the ship to assess the situation. For tactical reasons, it was decided to continue the extinguishing work from shore at a berth. The condition of the ship is assessed by nautical experts as stable.

Crew injured, environment endangered

Several crew members were injured in the accident and had to be taken to nearby hospitals. The environmental organization Greenpeace warned of the serious consequences for the Baltic Sea, especially for the sensitive nature reserve Kadetrinne. The incident has reignited the debate about the safety of shipping in the Baltic Sea.

Investigating the cause and political reactions

The exact cause of the fire is not yet known. Experts from the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies are currently investigating the scene of the accident in order to rule out possible technical defects or human error as the cause. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Environment Minister Till Backhaus is calling for better coordination of shipping traffic and a faster shift away from fossil fuels. Greenpeace marine expert Daniela Schaper emphasizes that only a consistent phase-out of the oil industry can prevent such accidents in the long term.

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The IMRF's Lifeboat Crew Exchange returned in 2024, with crew members from Australia, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Madeira, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and United Kingdom coming together to learn new skills and collaborate to make themselves more effective at saving lives at sea.

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A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater helicopter crew rescued a man and dog from a disabled and taking-on-water 36-foot sailing vessel 25 miles off Sanibel Island, Florida, on Sept. 26, 2024. Petty Officer 2nd Class Hudson, an aviation survival technician from Air Station Clearwater, hoisted the man and his dog, who were reportedly in good health and taken to Southwest Florida International Airport to meet with EMS. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Hudson, edited by Lt. Cmdr. Kellerman)

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Join us on a mission with the volunteer manned rescue boat in Tromsø. In this case, a boat that had drifted ashore in an area exposed to currents had to be salvaged. Thanks to the expertise of the crew, everything ended well, and the hobby fishermen returned home safely. The assignment is from the fall of 2021.

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On Sunday 25 August we were alerted for several swimmers who were in trouble at the southern harbour head in Scheveningen. KNRM Scheveningen, the police and the Surf Rescue Team (SRT) of the Scheveningen fire brigade were already present. They had already been able to save 3 people and one person was still missing.

Everything was pulled out of the closet and, among other things, several air units from the Coast Guard and the Police arrived on the scene. The fire brigade also had an extra aerial platform brought in to be able to look between the blocks from a height. The emergency services who were standing on the harbour head searched as best they could between the blocks themselves. After a good 2 hours of searching, it was decided to end the search. Partly due to the falling darkness, the time that had passed and the circumstances, the chance of survival was very small.

The days that followed, an intensive search was conducted and the remains of the missing person were eventually recovered.

Our thoughts naturally go out to the family and the emergency services involved.

Such efforts always have an impact on the group of dedicated volunteers. With these images we want to show that we do more than just "sailing a boat".

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Wednesday afternoon at 4:12 p.m., a call came in to the rescuers of the VBZR via the Coast Guard, that a skipper of a sailboat had suffered significant head injuries. The skipper was sailing under sail with his wife off Ostend after a 3-week trip. They are on their way to the home port of Blankenberge. Presumably the rougher sea (5 Bft) threw the man off balance where he severely opened his scalp during the fall. Given the injuries, the man and woman know that help must come and they cannot wait for time to arrive in the home port of Blankenberge.

The rescuers of the VBZR rush out 9 minutes later. On board is also a VBZR rescuer with a medical background. Moments later the rescuers are at the scene. Immediately 2 rescuers went on board and the rescuer with medical background immediately took care of the victim. The other rescuer helps the woman with the boat's engine. Due to the fall, the throttle has broken off and the engine is running at full speed. The rescuers include rescuers with great experience in boats and marine engines, so rescuers were able to provide additional assistance with manual throttling.

With a tailwind and current, the lifeboat and sailboat sailed to the port of Blankenberge at 9 knots. At the port, the sailboat is taken alongside and an ambulance is already waiting at the Vismijntje to transport the man to the hospital. The rescuers ensure that the sailboat is neatly moored.

With the wind at their backs and the current behind them, the lifeboat and sailboat sailed at 9 knots to the port of Blankenberge. At the port, the sailboat is taken alongside and an ambulance is already waiting at the Vismijntje to transport the man to the hospital. The rescuers make sure that the sailboat is neatly moored at its berth and the woman has nothing else to worry about. The injured skipper is a member of the VBZR and all assistance is therefore free.

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Monday 31 October 2022. A yacht is taking on water off the coast of Cornwall. Penlee lifeboat crew launch to the rescue. 7m waves. 100mph wind. 8 people in danger. What happens next is the latest in a long history of incredible rescue stories by the RNLI.

Watch as the lifeboat crew involved in the rescue tell the story of how they tackled a dark and stormy night in their mission to save every one. And learn more about the incredible leadership and courage of Coxswain Patch Harvey that resulted in him being awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for Gallantry.

Together with their Swedish counterpart SSRS, Danish rescue helicopters, and the Danish emergency services.

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LIVEX 2024 is over! 🌊 We are proud of all the participants who worked extremely hard today in this major evacuation exercise. The Coast Guard and other relief organizations brought more than 500 people to safety. 💪 The scenario began with a distress call from the captain of the DFDS ferry 'Princess Seaways' to the Coast Guard. This was followed by an impressive collaboration between various rescue services.

The Coast Guard directed the rescue operation on the water. The Kennemerland Safety Region set up a large location to receive the evacuees. Several ships, KNRM lifeboats, helicopters, the Coast Guard aircraft, ambulances, (emergency) vehicles, control rooms and crisis teams were deployed.

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Heroz: Helpen En Redden Op Zee [Helping And Rescuing At Sea]

A look back at a fantastic day.

We warmly thank all attendees and everyone who participated in this festive event!

Special thanks also to godfather Rob Smeets, COO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges and godmother Anne Martens, district commissioner of the Province of West Flanders.

The new lifeboat was christened Heroz, after the core tasks of our rescue service. Offering help and rescuing people in distress at sea. As of today, the Heroz will be deployed in rescue work. The coming months will be spent practicing intensively so that the crew will be ready for the summer season with this new vessel.

Enjoy these beautiful images with thanks to Bart De Coninck.