AIDAperla: Rapid Emergency Evacuation on the Elbe River

AIDAperla
On Saturday evening, the fire department and DLRG (German Life Saving Association) were dispatched to an incident on the Elbe River to provide assistance to the cruise ship AIDAperla. Shortly after departing from Hamburg port, a medical evacuation became necessary. A fire department boat approached the AIDAperla, while a DLRG vessel secured the operational area.

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According to information from the Stade fire department, a female passenger had sustained a leg injury that could not be adequately treated with the medical resources available onboard. The rapid transfer of the patient from the ship to a nearby hospital ashore therefore became imperative. Two paramedics aboard the fire department boat took over the patient from the ship's doctors. Using a special stretcher, the lying person was transferred to the rescue boat "Henry Köpcke."

In Stadersand, the patient was handed over ashore, where rescue teams from the fire department and DLRG transferred her to a waiting ambulance. This ambulance transported the woman to a clinic for further medical attention. Contrary to the initial report, a leg fracture was not confirmed, making the intervention of the also alerted emergency doctor unnecessary. This incident once again highlights the seamless cooperation between land-based rescue forces and ship crews during medical emergencies to ensure optimal care for those affected.

The AIDAperla was able to resume its cruise towards Norway with almost no noticeable delay. Today, Sunday, July 27, 2025, the cruise ship is on a sea day in the North Sea. The current week-long voyage includes port calls in the Norwegian harbors of Nordfjordeid, Maloy, Stavanger, and Bergen.