German Lifeboat Crews Rescued Nearly 3,000 People in 2024

The Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger (DGzRS) conducted over 1,800 rescue missions last year, saving lives and aiding vessels in the North and Baltic Seas.

The DGzRS reported rescuing nearly 3,000 people in 2024, including 79 individuals from imminent danger at sea and over 400 from other perilous situations.
Crews responded to approximately 1,800 emergencies, providing assistance to fishing boats, water sports enthusiasts, and commercial vessels along the German coastline.
A major operation in October 2024 involved extinguishing a fire on the tanker 'Annika,' where seven crew members were saved by DGzRS volunteers.
The organization, which operates 60 lifeboats and rescue cruisers, relies entirely on donations and celebrated its 160th anniversary in 2025.
Efforts to raise awareness and funds included a campaign by the band Santiano, which collected over €50,000, and plans for a novel by author Klaus-Peter Wolf about the lifeboat crews' work.