In a press release, the foundation explains: "After several salvage concepts and offers from salvage companies had been received and evaluated in the previous days, the decision was made: The wooden hull lying on its side in the silt should be raised with the help of lifting bags and powerful pumps and ready for swimming The order went to a Spanish rescue company that specializes in complicated rescues using inflatable lift bags.
On Saturday, the lifting bags will begin to be attached under the fuselage. This is only possible with divers, and that in turn only at high or low tide, because the tidal current in the Schwing estuary sets up to 4 knots. If everything goes according to plan, the actual lifting process should start on Sunday at the earliest. The return transport of the schooner to Hamburg could then begin on Monday.
Joachim Kaiser, board member of the Hamburg Maritime Foundation, the owner of the pilot schooner: 'We welcome the rescue with lifting bags, which is connected with the greatest possible protection of the historic wooden hull.'
Immediately after the accident, the foundation looked after the injured in particular. Most of them could be discharged from the hospitals just a few hours later. A seriously injured person who was brought to Hamburg by helicopter is now back at home and is on the mend."