The Royal Dutch Rescue Society (KNRM) looks back on a relatively quiet year, with on average fewer requests for help than in the past six years. At the same time, an exciting year because of preparations for the 200th anniversary in 2024.
With special events, special products and exhibitions, KNRM has been and will be reflecting on the stories of the past from 11 November 2023 until the end of 2024 and looking ahead to the coming years full of renewal.
Under all weather conditions, KNRM comes into action for emergency calls and requests for assistance on the water. To this end, 75 lifeboats are on standby along the coast, manned by some 1200 volunteers. On shore, another 300 volunteers provide support.
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3397 people rescued
Last year, 3397 people (4005 in 2022) and 123 animals were brought safely ashore by the lifeboats. The 45 rescue stations were alerted a total of 2363 times (2520 in 2022) for search and rescue operations.
The five doctors of the KNRM Radio Medical Service (RMD) are available day and night for medical questions from seafarers worldwide. These consultations involve treating sick or injured crew members and are regularly life-saving.
In 2023, doctors gave 749 medical consultations (997 in 2022). Fewer than the past three years, when Covid caused additional enquiries. As every year, 98 per cent of the consultation requests come from commercial shipping.
Special rescues in 2023
The fire on board car carrier Fremantle Highway on 25 July attracted the most attention this year. KNRM rescue stations Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, Rederij Noordgat and Coast Guard helicopters managed to rescue all those on board in the nick of time. The lifeboats brought seven seriously injured people ashore.
Storm Poly on 5 July, one of the heaviest summer storms in fifty years, is also on everyone’s mind. While thousands of trees snapped or blew over on land, the number of rescues on the water was limited to two. Only the Marken and Urk rescue stations had to go out in wind force 11.
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Successful searches
In May, towards dark, a catamaran solo sailor went overboard on the IJsselmeer. His disappearance was only discovered hours later. Because he was wearing a life jacket, he was able to swim to safety by climbing onto an anchored barge. There he spent the night and was found the next day by the alerted rescue stations Enkhuizen and Urk.
Two days before, rescue station Enkhuizen also had to go into action for a sailor who suffered the same thing, but unfortunately did not survive because he was not wearing a life jacket.
KNRM continues to emphasise the importance of being well prepared on the water. And in doing so, to also use the KNRM Helpt app to report a boating trip. That ensures that the last position of a boat is known.
That would have saved a lot of search work when, on 4 July, KNRM Ameland, Schiermonnikoog and Eemshaven searched for some seventeen hours for a missing sailboat with two young men on board. Fortunately, they were found and were able to be reunited with their families in good health in Eemshaven.
New lifeboats
KNRM is a charity and entirely dependent on voluntary contributions. Thanks to sponsors and legatees, three new lifeboats could be built in 2023. Two 9-metre lifeboats for Den Oever and Blaricum and a 7.5-metre lifeboat for Vlieland.
Two 11-metre lifeboats are under construction for delivery in 2024. All lifeboats will be named by the sponsor.
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More request from water sports enthusiasts
This year, the thirty volunteer operators of the KNRM Help Assistance Centre (KAC), which can be reached by phone, saw the number of calls from water sports enthusiasts with non-urgent requests for help increase to 1183 (1034 in 2022).
In 131 of the cases, the requests for help could be resolved by phone and did not require the deployment of a lifeboat. More often than in previous years, reporters contacted the KAC directly from the KNRM Helpt app. With prevention campaigns, KNRM tries to make water sports enthusiasts more self-reliant.
The ninety KNRM Lifeguards on the Frisian Wadden Islands and in Wassenaar also had a quieter year with 703 emergency calls (844 in 2022). Partly due to the poorer summer weather in July and August, there were fewer recreationists on the beach and swimmers in the sea.
200 years of KNRM in 2024
On 11 November 2023, KNRM launched its 200th anniversary year, a jubilee year full of festive activities. In this jubilee year, KNRM also reflects on the past, commemorates the rescuers who gave their lives for others and looks ahead to the future.
The new year will be heralded with the release of the song “Wat als de storm komt” (What if the storm comes). From 12 to 14 January next, singer Stef Bos and singer Fleur Rateland will give the song attention at ten rescue stations.
From 18 March, a weekly podcast series kicks off with presenter Roelof Hemmen talking to rescuers and those rescued. At the same time, exhibitions will open in regional and national maritime museums, a unique photo book will be published, a YouTube series by Govert Sweep, a special anniversary stamp by PostNL, commemorative coins and a KNRM tulip will be unveiled.
The anniversary year will conclude in October with the musical spectacle “Symfonie van het water” (Symphony of the water) at the New Luxor in Rotterdam.
Picture (top): IJmuiden – lifeboat and class Nh1816 (photo by Martijn Bustin/through KNRM).
