Transport · Helgoland and Cuxhaven
Ferry 'Funny Girl' disabled off Helgoland: 69 people on board await rescue after engine failure
The passenger ferry 'Funny Girl' lost power five kilometres off the North Sea island of Helgoland on 13 June after an engine breakdown, leaving 69 people on board awaiting rescue.
AI text based on reports by Süddeutsche Zeitung, ZEIT ONLINE and Norddeutscher Rundfunk. Published . How it is made
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In brief
The 'Funny Girl' lost power about 5 km off Helgoland with 69 people on board. No injuries reported.
DGzRS cruiser 'Herrmann Marwede' reached the ferry and initially planned to tow it to Helgoland, later diverted to Cuxhaven due to docking constraints.
Media report the ferry will not sail on Sunday and Monday. Operator Adler & Eils has not commented.
'MS Helgoland' is handling the return crossing to Cuxhaven, with onward connection to Büsum by 'MS Fair Lady'. Tickets remain valid.
The incident
Around 60 passengers were on board according to police. Norddeutscher Rundfunk reported a total of 69 people, including crew. The engine failed five kilometres off the island, a police spokeswoman said. No one was injured.
“The engine failed five kilometres off the island.”
Rescue operation
The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) rescue cruiser 'Herrmann Marwede' was dispatched. A DGzRS spokesman said the plan was to tow the ferry to Helgoland harbour. Later, the police spokeswoman said docking at Helgoland was not possible. The ferry is now being towed to Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony.
“With high probability, we will now pull the vessel by towline into the port of Helgoland.”
“Docking there was not possible.”
Service disruption
The ferry is expected to remain out of service at least Sunday and Monday, according to media reports. Operator Adler & Eils has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Alternative travel
For passengers on Helgoland, the vessel 'MS Helgoland' is taking over the return journey, routing via Cuxhaven. From there, the 'MS Fair Lady' continues to Büsum. Tickets retain their validity. Numerous schoolchildren who took part in the Helgoland relay marathon are on the island this weekend; organisers said participants came from 50 schools.
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