From Allied Maritime Command Northwood:  Danish Minehunter HMDS Makrelen was diverted from the major NATO exercise “Brilliant Mariner 2010” late last night ,13 April, to rescue two adults and one teenage girl from the sinking cutter Kristine.

Danish Navy Command Operations Room received a call just before midnight from the Danish Police reporting a report that the vessel Kristine was taking on water and had no power or propulsion to pump the water out. The boat was sinking near Hjelm Dyb in the Kattegat close to Ebeltoft. The owner requested emergency services from his mobile phone. The Command Centre launched a SAR helicopter and diverted the minehunter from the exercise to help search for the vessel and crew. …
 
Lt Cdr Stab-Nielsen added that the NATO ship was very pleased to be able to help in this incident:

“It is a job we are here to do – although it stopped us for mine-hunting on the Exercise for an hour or so, we gain valuable training from real world incidents. We are always on duty for these SAR incidents.”

Danish vessels were taking part in the International NATO Exercise Brilliant Mariner 2010 as part of the SNMCMG 1 Force comprising 13 International Navy ships undergoing tasks such as Mine Hunting, Ordnance Clearing and Maritime Security Operations in support of the objectives of Brilliant Mariner.  (photo: NATO)

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