Bremen - DGzRS celebrates the birthday of selfless help

The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) was founded in Kiel on 29 May 1865 and has laid the foundations for a sustainable, donation-financed and therefore independent sea rescue service in Germany over the past 160 years with selfless helpfulness, constantly renewed rescue resources and good organisation. Until the middle of the 19th century, these conditions did not exist in the North and Baltic Seas. However, the idea of a uniform, independent organisation that rescues people from distress at sea regardless of the person or cause finally prevailed.

First sailing lifeboat from 1874 at the opening of the Fedderwardersiel station. Archive photo: Die Seenotretter - DGzRS

It has been a long journey from rowing lifeboat to rescue cruiser and thanks to the great support from many areas of our country, the sea rescuers today have safer technology at their disposal than in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, the special spirit that underpins their work has not changed: respect for the forces of nature, seamanship, voluntary work and funding, as well as independence from politics and individual donors. Since 1865, the sea rescuers have been working purely on the basis of donations and are committed to a single goal: Rescuing people in distress at sea, around the clock and in all weathers. Their willingness to work at sea for others - despite the risks involved - was then and still is today the prerequisite for their selfless work, as the following has always applied: "Drive out when others come in!"

That is why the willingness of many people throughout the country to support the sea rescuers financially and ideally remains important. On its birthday, the DGzRS is most pleased to receive financial donations. As a thank you, you will receive a special donation certificate with a historic rowing lifeboat and a modern rescue cruiser.

Collage for the 160th anniversary - from rowing lifeboat to rescue cruiser. Picture: DGzRS

The DGzRS collection boat also has a birthday. Picture: DGzRS

And the collection boat has also been collecting donations for 150 years. If you would also like to donate: Sparkasse Bremen, IBAN DE36 2905 0101 0001 0720 16 or via www.seenotretter.de

The marineforum team extends its warmest congratulations on this impressive anniversary, wishes the sea rescuers all the best for a successful future, "mast and sheet break" and always a safe return home.

kdk