What Crew Members Say About Helgoland

The highly anticipated anniversary voyage of the 'Helgoland' from Cuxhaven to Helgoland, originally set for December 16, has been postponed due to engine complications. The vessel is currently out of service after undergoing scheduled maintenance, which included a class inspection and a routine overhaul of its port side engine. Following its commissioning, further inspection revealed that an additional stay at the shipyard in Cuxhaven was required. The postponement is attributed to technical defects that emerged during the engine manufacturer's overhaul, which are not the fault of the shipping company, Cassen Eils. These defects are being addressed to guarantee the safe and reliable operation of the ship. In the meantime, the 'Funny Girl' will temporarily take over the route between Cuxhaven and Helgoland, ensuring that the supply of food and essential goods to Helgoland remains uninterrupted. The regular timetable for this route will continue as planned. Passengers holding anniversary tickets have the option to travel to Helgoland on December 16 with the 'Funny Girl' or reschedule their journey aboard the 'Helgoland' for a later date.

On October 8, 2023, the ferry 'Helgoland' encountered a technical issue that forced it to remain docked in Cuxhaven. As a result, all scheduled sailings between Cuxhaven and Heligoland were canceled for the day, prompting adjustments for travelers. The passenger vessel 'Nordlicht' stepped in to service the route, operating under a modified timetable. Departures from Cuxhaven (Alte Liebe) were scheduled for 10:15 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., while the ferry left Heligoland (Inland Port) at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets that had been purchased prior remained valid for the alternative arrangements made. For those wishing to return to Cuxhaven on that day, the recommended sailing was at 12:30 p.m. Fortunately, the 'Helgoland' resumed its regular operations on October 9, ensuring that travel plans could continue as scheduled.

On March 30, 2022, tragedy unfolded aboard the 'Helgoland' as a passenger tragically took their own life by jumping overboard. The incident occurred around 12:20 p.m. while the vessel was making its way from Cuxhaven to Heligoland. A fellow passenger witnessed the heartbreaking moment when the individual plunged into the water between buoys 2 and 4 on the Elbe route. In response to the emergency, a comprehensive rescue operation was swiftly mobilized, involving a helicopter from the federal police along with multiple vessels including the 'Helgoland', 'Elbe', 'Bayreuth', 'Heincke', 'Halunder Jet', and lifeboats such as 'Anneliese Kramer', 'Theo Fischer', 'Alfried Krupp', 'Theodor Storm', and 'Hans Hackmack'. After an extensive search, the body was recovered and subsequently transported to Cuxhaven where it was identified as belonging to a man from Lower Saxony. Following the recovery, the search and rescue teams were stood down, marking a somber end to a tragic day at sea.

On the evening of August 9, 2018, an urgent medical evacuation unfolded in Cuxhaven when the lifeboat 'Anneliese Kramer,' operated by the DGzRS station, was summoned to assist an ailing passenger aboard the ferry 'Helgoland.' The vessel was returning from Heligoland to Cuxhaven when a passenger experienced a medical emergency. Due to flooding at the ferry port's gangway, 'Helgoland' was unable to dock at its regular slot and instead approached the Alte Liebe jetty. There, the patient was successfully transferred to medical personnel waiting onshore for immediate care. This incident underscores the importance of maritime rescue services in ensuring passenger safety. For the full report complete with photographs, visit the German lifesavers' official site: https://www.seenotretter.de/aktuelles/seenotfaelle/ansicht/news/zahlreiche-einsaetze-der-seenotretter-gewittertief-nadine-zieht-ueber-nord-und-ostsee/

On December 31, 2017, at approximately 1 p.m., the ferry 'Helgoland' encountered significant trouble upon its arrival at Heligoland island from Cuxhaven. The vessel, carrying 74 passengers and four crew members, was disabled following an allision with a jetty during a turning maneuver aimed at aligning the ship for docking. As the 'Helgoland' attempted to pivot to port, a malfunction of the bow thruster, combined with strong winds, forced the ferry towards the opposite quay. Despite efforts from the crew and the lifeboat 'Hermann Marwede', which deployed its daughter vessel 'Verena', the situation could not be salvaged in time. This resulted in the ferry's stern colliding with the east quay, causing damage, and affecting two yachts moored nearby. After securing the vessel at the quay, all passengers were safely disembarked and assessed for medical needs by the local volunteer fire brigade and the DGzRS. Following a prompt 45-minute evaluation by emergency teams, authorities concluded their involvement. Meanwhile, local police initiated an investigation on board the 'Helgoland' in the South Port area. The ferry eventually departed the port at 3:30 p.m. and returned to Cuxhaven. The following day, January 1, 2018, the 'Helgoland' docked at the Mützelfeldt Yard in Cuxhaven for essential repairs to its hull and propulsion system. After repairs were completed, the ferry resumed service on January 22, departing around 10:40 a.m. for its inaugural trip of 2018 back to the island. For more updates, visit [seenotretter.de](https://www.seenotretter.de/aktuelles/neuigkeiten/ansicht/news/faehre-helgoland-kollision-im-inselhafen/) or check [ndr.de](http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Helgoland-Schiff-kracht-gegen-Kaimauer,helgoland950.html).