Drama on the DRAU: Boot Kentert - partner saved at the last second!

Drama on the DRAU: Boot Kentert - partner saved at the last second!

Bezirk Spittal an der Drau, Österreich - On June 3, 2025, a dramatic incident occurred in the Spittal district on the Drau when a boat capsized due to strong currents. A 57-year-old man and his 48-year-old partner were on the Drau when the accident happened. The man was able to save himself on the shore while the woman held onto the boat line and was aborted by the water currents. At 11:15 a.m., the man filed a complaint about the sea feasure. This led to the alarm of several surrounding fire brigade, including Möllbrücke, Sachsenburg, Lendorf, Kleblach, Baldramsdorf and Spittal/Drau, as well as the water rescue Ferndorf/Millstatt and Sattendorf, which are specially designed for fluid water rescues.

The firefighters and rescue workers worked intensively to find the woman. Although visual contact was made after a short time, several attempts to save them with a rescue throw proved to be unsuccessful. Finally, the Möllbrücke fire department managed to move the hypothermic and weakened woman ashore around 11:50 a.m. in Lendorfer Au. After the primary care of the rescue workers present, the woman was brought to the Spittal/Drau hospital, where she should receive further medical help. The rapid reaction of the emergency services certainly contributed to preventing worse.

emergency services in use

This incident illustrates the important role of the sea rescue services in Germany, especially the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecker (DGZRS), which has been active since 1865. The DGZRS has the sovereign task for sea rescue in the German waters of the North and Baltic Sea. It deals with the rescue of people in danger, the care of injuries and the sick and the rescue of shipwrecks. The sea rescuers are ready around the clock and in any weather to help in emergencies.

The organization has saved over 87,000 people from distress since its foundation. Financing and support is carried out by donations, which ensures the independence of the DGZRS. The DGZR's emergency services not only act in emergencies, such as people overboard or water slump, but are also on the spot for other dangers that can occur on the water. More information about the work of the DGZRS is available on their website.

The safety net of the sea rescuers

The DGZRS operates the German rescue control center Lake and maintains more than 60 sea rescue cruisers and boats. These units meet specific security standards that go beyond the general rules of shipping. The network of emergency services extends over 3,660 kilometers of coastline and takes into account the entire exclusive economic zone of Germany. With around 180 permanent employees and more than 800 voluntary sea rescuers, the DGZRS guarantees comprehensive emergency coping.

The incident in Spittal an der Drau is an urgent example of the challenges and dangers that can occur on rivers like the Drau, as well as for the indispensable work of organizations such as the DGZRS in the area of ​​sea rescue. These missions underline the need to ensure security on water and the importance of being able to rely on trained rescue workers.