The GMRS rescue boat BERNARD PITS. Photo courtesy GMRS
Two people were killed Monday morning when the barge they were on sank in heavy seas off the coast of Germany.
The German Society for Sea Rescue Service (GMRS) reports receiving a MAYDAY call from the captain of a construction barge just before 8 a.m. reporting that the vessel was in danger of sinking approximately 4 miles north of Norderney, Germany.
Rescue boats from the Bremen Rescue unit and a Navy helicopter were sent to the scene, as well as a nearby tug. By the time the rescue boats and helicopter arrived at the location about a half hour later, the barge had already sunk.
The two men, both unresponsive, were found clinging to floating wreckage and brought onto one of the rescue boats. Tragically, the men could not be resuscitated.
The report from the GMRS says that the rescue was hampered by heavy seas and low visibility. The men were also reported to not be wearing lifejackets.
The accident is under investigation.
Monday’s accident follows another incident off Germany this weekend, where one person was killed and two were injured in a lifeboat fall accident aboard a product tanker.
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