Rescuers at Sea

Anniversary

Following seventeen shipping disasters in one day, an organized rescue company was founded in 1824: the current Royal Dutch Rescue Company (KNRM). In the following years, rescue stations were established in various villages and towns in the Netherlands. Two hundred years later, the 1,400 volunteers of the KNRM - sometimes at the risk of their lives - are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance to people in need on the water!

Watch, listen and experience!

The exhibition in the Zuiderzee Museum shows not only KNRM history, but also current practice. Compare a modern KNRM life suit with a historic cork vest, or discover the meaning of the different signal flags and life buoys. See what KNRM Enkhuizen has done in the past year from a real boat with small life jackets, and let the children clamber on board themselves! Also, admire the beautiful images that the famous photographer Jeroen Hofman* made of KNRM locations in and around the former Zuiderzee area. Discover what you need to be able to do to become a rescuer at the KNRM and the effect this has on their personal lives. And don't miss the photo opportunity; You look like a cool rescuer here, in that original outfit!

Nice to meet you!

Meet six members of the KNRM Enkhuizen. Photographer Robin de Puy* portrayed rescuers for this occasion. They tell their intense and moving stories, show what support they receive from their own environment and show what the added value of the KNRM is on their lives.

KNRM Enkhuizen

The KNRM station of Enkhuizen was only set up in 1868; the water here was initially not considered dangerous enough. In 1877, the Enkhuizen location was dismantled again, because only three rescue operations had taken place. Only during the Second World War - when several other posts had to close - was the Enkhuizer station restored to its former glory; in 2015, the 100,000th rescued drowning person was brought safely ashore here.

200 years of KNRM

During the anniversary year, the KNRM and ten maritime museums in the Netherlands will organize various festive, accessible and spectacular public events: in order to bring the rich history of the rescue industry to the attention of the Dutch public. On the website reddersopzee.nl you can read more about the various exhibitions and activities in this special anniversary year.

*The modern photography series is a beautiful anniversary gift for the KNRM and was created with the support of the Friends Lottery.