11 rescued from burning fishing boat in Wadden Sea off Germany

The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) was called upon to render assistance to a recreational fishing vessel that had caught fire and gone adrift in the Wadden Sea off Neuharlingersiel on Friday, May 29.

The 17-metre Seestern sustained moderate damage from the blaze, which is said to have ignited in the vessel’s engine room at around 17:15 local time.

The DGzRS station at Neuharlingersiel duly sent out a rescue boat after receiving a distress call from the burning vessel. All 11 passengers who were on board Seestern were later transferred to the rescue boat and then brought to shore while the fishing vessel’s three crew stayed behind to attempt to contain the blaze.

Although the fire was eventually extinguished, the crippled vessel was unable to resume sailing under its power and instead continued drifting until it ran aground.

The DGzRS said that one of its lifeboats subsequently towed Seestern away from the area where it had beached and brought it to Neuharlingersiel, where it is presently berthed.

No injuries were reported.