30-Year-Old Female Crew Medevac’d from Color Fantasy Ferry off Laboe – 13 December 2025

On 13 December 2025, a serious medical emergency aboard the Scandinavian ferry Color Fantasy prompted an urgent medical evacuation in the Kiel Fjord, Germany. The 30-year-old female crew member sustained injuries requiring care beyond the ship's onboard capabilities and was safely transferred to a rescue vessel approximately 600 metres off Laboe, then airlifted to a specialised hospital for further treatment.

The Norwegian Maritime Emergency Coordination Centre (NMCC) in Stavanger and MRCC Bremen coordinated the rapid response, demonstrating established Baltic Sea search-and-rescue procedures across national jurisdictions. The Color Fantasy resumed its scheduled overnight service to Oslo following the successful evacuation.

The medical emergency was reported shortly after the ferry departed Kiel while transiting the outer approaches of the Kieler Förde. MRCC Bremen tasked the DGzRS rescue cruiser HANS HACKMACK (MMSI 211235200), stationed in Laboe, to intercept the ferry. Under calm sea conditions and a moderate westerly breeze, the rescue vessel manoeuvred alongside Color Fantasy at approximately 600 metres off Laboe. The injured crew member was transferred safely without complication and transported to Laboe Harbour, where land-based emergency services were standing by. Due to the severity of her injuries, a rescue helicopter was subsequently dispatched to airlift her to a specialised hospital.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 1 crew member (30-year-old female) sustained serious injuries requiring evacuation and specialist hospital treatment.

Rescued

• The injured crew member was safely transferred to the DGzRS rescue vessel and subsequently airlifted to hospital.

The Norwegian Maritime Emergency Coordination Centre (NMCC) in Stavanger was notified immediately and relayed the alert to MRCC Bremen. MRCC Bremen tasked the DGzRS rescue cruiser HANS HACKMACK to intercept the ferry. The coordinated effort between NMCC Stavanger, MRCC Bremen, and the DGzRS demonstrated established Baltic Sea search-and-rescue procedures, enabling swift medical evacuation of the injured seafarer across national jurisdictions. A rescue helicopter was dispatched from shore to transport the patient to a specialised medical facility.

The Color Fantasy resumed its scheduled overnight voyage to Oslo following the successful evacuation. The injured crew member received specialist hospital treatment ashore.