The DGzRS (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger = German Maritime Search and Rescue Service) is responsible for the maritime search and rescue service in the German areas of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. To fulfill its tasks, it keeps about 60 rescue vessels and boats at 55 stations between Borkum in the West and Usedom in the East ready for action – around the clock, in all weathers.

Year after year, the sea rescuers are called out to rescue about 2,000 times, coordinated by the RETTUNGSLEITSTELLE SEE of the DGzRS (MRCC = Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre). The independent and autonomous work of the sea rescuers is financed entirely by voluntary contributions, without governmental financial support. Since the founding of the DGzRS in 1865, its crews have rescued more than 86,000 people from distress at sea and imminent danger. The patron of the sea rescuers is the Federal President of Germany.

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