Der Anaesthesist
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The logistic peculiarities of an emergency maritime location and the frequent additional threat of accidental hypothermia mean that the treatment of medical emergencies at sea are particularly demanding. This article describes the characteristics of emergency medical missions of the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) as the main provider of non-helicopter-based medical maritime rescue on the seas off the coasts of Germany. ⋯ Although the severity of medical emergencies on the seas off the coasts of Germany was high, the emergency physicians frequently arrived with a considerable delay. There is an urgent need for an effective support of the DGzRS by medical personnel specifically trained for maritime missions.