German Society for Maritime Emergency Management
The German Society for Maritime Emergency Management (Gesellschaft für maritimes Notfallmanagement mbH, GMN) is responsible for the Emergency Response Centre of Offshore Wind Farms (NOW) and is headquartered in Bremen. GMN is a strong, reliable and innovative partner for the entire offshore wind industry. GMN maintains a close, cooperative relationship with all its customers, business partners and employees by using a transparent approach to address challenges.
Video
This video introduces NOW’s core responsibilities. It illustrates the collaboration between GMN and NOW, DGzRS with the MRCC, as well as the operators of offshore wind farms, their subcontractors, and HEMS providers. We explain the rescue chain using a case study.
Any reproduction or distribution of the video outside of this website is prohibited. All image and audio rights remain with Gesellschaft für maritimes Notfallmanagement mbH (German Society for Maritime Emergency Management).
The construction and operation of offshore wind turbines, offshore wind farms and converter platforms requires a professional in-house emergency management system. To ensure this, the regulatory authorities of the German states bordering the North Sea and the Baltic Sea have issued a policy on the prompt rescue and medical care of employees in the offshore wind industry that serves as the foundation for German offshore occupational safety regulations.
GMN functions as a central facility, providing an alternative to individual solutions offered by different operators. In the event of an emergency on offshore installations, GMN ensures optimal coordination of the rescue and medical care of individuals who have fallen ill or been injured.
Offshore installations are fixed structures at sea. For maritime emergencies occurring between the mainland and these installations – or beyond – the non-profit German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) is responsible. However, emergency situations on the offshore installations themselves do not fall within the primary statutory responsibilities of DGzRS. To contribute its expertise, decades of experience and technical resources – particularly in communications and coordination – DGzRS established GMN as an independently operating entity.
Emergency Response Centre for Offshore Wind Farms
One of GMN’s key responsibilities is ensuring efficient transport routes for the medical treatment of patients, both on land and at sea.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of DGzRS Service GmbH, GMN operates the Emergency Response Centre for Offshore Wind Farms (NOW) for this purpose.
NOW serves as the central emergency call reception centre for all employees in the offshore wind industry. Staffed by paramedics from Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, it provides 24/7 medical expertise, structured emergency call handling, and first aid guidance. The paramedics alert the responsible HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) provider and establish telemedicine connections. They organise and coordinate immediate offshore rescue and medical care.
The Rescue Coordination Centre (RLSt See), operated by DGzRS, is a collaborative coordination centre consisting of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Bremen, coastal radio station Bremen Rescue Radio (which maintains a constant listening watch on marine VHF radio (CH16)) and NOW. Additionally, NOW works closely with RLSt See and is an integral part of its medical operations.
MRCC Bremen coordinates all maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations within Germany’s North Sea and Baltic Sea regions (Search and Rescue Region of Germany), covering the country’s entire exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Bremen Rescue Radio coastal station maintains 24/7 listening coverage on more than 20 relay stations for marine VHF radio (CH16) and monitors DSC channel 70 (Digital Selective Calling).
GMN is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and NOW is certified according to DIN EN 50518 Category II. As a result, NOW meets the quality standards of an onshore emergency control centre and fulfils the rescue objectives outlined in the emergency response policy for offshore facilities.