Did you know that the Historische Rettungsstation Sassnitz was established in 1866? It was just one year after the DGzRS was founded. This location is key to maritime safety.
The Historische Rettungsstation Sassnitz is strategically positioned. It is on the northeastern part of Rügen Island. More precisely, it is on the Jasmund peninsula. This places it in a busy maritime area. Here, traffic flows converge from the Western Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, Poland, and the Baltic states.
But it’s not just the heavy traffic. The chalk cliffs attract many tourists. The cliffs also contribute to the need for the Historische Rettungsstation Sassnitz. They lead to frequent call-outs for the rescue teams.
Let’s talk about the HARRO KOEBKE. This impressive 36.5-meter sea rescue cruiser is stationed here. It is manned around the clock with a five-person crew. They are always ready for immediate deployment. You will usually find it at its berth. It is on the west pier in Sassnitz harbor.
Andreas Schumacher leads a team of eleven permanent employees. They also have twelve volunteers. Together, they ensure the station is always prepared.
This particular sea rescue cruiser, HARRO KOEBKE, has an interesting backstory. It was built in 2012 at the Fassmer shipyard. The cruiser is named after a generous benefactor from southern Germany. He supported the sea rescuers through a substantial legacy.
The daughter boat is called NOTARIUS. Its name refers to a key figure in the historic Bremen ice wager. Since 1829, this event has supported the sea rescuers with donations.
The story of sea rescue in Sassnitz has many chapters. In 1866, the station was first established in Neu-Mukran. This is south of Sassnitz. By 1912, the modern motor rescue boat DR. ALFRED VON DER LEYEN was stationed here.
After World War II, in 1945, the station closed. But in 1953, the maritime office of the GDR began to rebuild sea rescue facilities. Sassnitz was given the motor rescue boat ARKONA I.
Over the years, the Historische Rettungsstation Sassnitz has seen many changes. In 1974, the sea rescue cruiser ARKONA II was stationed here. In 1990, the station was reintegrated into the DGzRS rescue chain. Sassnitz then received the 19-meter sea rescue cruiser G. KUCHENBECKER.
The ARKONA III arrived in 1992. In 2003, the WILHELM KAISEN was moved from Helgoland to Sassnitz. Finally, in 2012, the HARRO KOEBKE took over. The Historische Rettungsstation Sassnitz continues to protect the Baltic Sea. It safeguards sailors and tourists alike. The work of the sea rescuers never ends.