Swift Rescue Operation: Sea Rescuers Evacuate Crew Member from Color Fantasy
Shortly after the majestic vessel departed from Kiel Harbour in the afternoon, an accident occurred on board: A 30-year-old female crew member sustained injuries severe enough to require immediate evacuation to a hospital.
The rescue chain was activated immediately and functioned smoothly across international borders. The ship's command of the Color Fantasy first alerted the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Stavanger, which promptly forwarded the emergency to the responsible Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Bremen of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS).
The sea rescuers at MRCC Bremen quickly decided to deploy the lifeboat (SK) Hans Hackmack from the Laboe station. This choice was ideal because the cutter was stationed virtually around the corner, right at the mouth of the Fjord.
The location of the incident was only about 600 meters off Laboe. At the time, there was a moderate breeze from the west at about 4 Beaufort and a wave height of approximately 0.5 meters—conditions that made the maneuver challenging, yet feasible.
For the safe transfer of the patient, the two ships—the 224-meter-long ferry and the much smaller 23-meter lifeboat—had to work together perfectly.
The captain of the Color Fantasy executed a crucial maneuver: he turned the ship so that the leeward side (the side sheltered from the wind) faced the rescue cutter. Since the wind was coming from the west and the ship was heading north, the starboard side (right) provided the necessary shelter for the Hans Hackmack.
With reduced speed, the sea rescuers approached the ferry's starboard side. Thanks to the Color Fantasy's special Pilot Doors, which are close to the waterline, the crew was able to transfer their injured colleague smoothly and safely directly onto the rescue cutter. Taking her over the high railing would have been impossible.
After the transfer, the Hans Hackmack pulled away from the ferry and headed back to Laboe Harbour. The land-based ambulance service and a requested rescue helicopter were already waiting there.
Due to the severity of her injuries, the patient was flown directly by helicopter to a nearby specialist clinic.
The Color Fantasy was able to resume its voyage to Oslo with only a minimal delay after the brief interruption.
This operation is a perfect example of how the German sea rescuers, who are funded solely by donations, are able to save lives quickly and efficiently, even under demanding conditions, thanks to their modern equipment and the high level of training of their crews. Ultimately, the Kiel Fjord remains one of the safest areas for commercial shipping due to this dense networking.
