Man rescued from ice 500 metres offshore in Puck Bay

A dramatic maritime rescue operation was carried out on the frozen waters of Puck Bay after a man was spotted immobilised on unstable sea ice approximately 500 metres from the shoreline. The operation was conducted by the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR SAR) in close cooperation with the State Fire Service, Police and emergency medical teams.

Kamil Kusier executive editor 12.01.2026, 23:34 Reading time: 2 min

Rescuers in red suits and helmets walk across a frozen bay towing an inflatable rescue boat — fot. Michał Konkel / BSR Władysławowo

In brief

The Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service evacuated from the ice sheet on Puck Bay a man in sudden cardiac arrest, on whom cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started immediately. The report of a motionless person around 500 metres from the shore came in at 12:07 from the Voivodeship Emergency Notification Centre, and the operation involved the Coastal Rescue Station from Władysławowo, the State Fire Service from Puck, the Police and an emergency medical team. Sebastian Kluska, director of the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service, described the intervention as conducted under high-risk conditions, and the operation was the ninth by the service since the start of 2026.

Emergency call from regional dispatch centre

At 12:07 the Provincial Emergency Call Centre (WCPR) notified MSPiR SAR of a person visible on the ice near the town of Puck. The caller reported that the man was crouching, unable to stand and showing no signs of movement. His trousers were partially lowered, indicating possible medical distress.

The situation was confirmed by observers from the Kaczy Winkiel lookout point, approximately one kilometre from the location, who also reported no visible movement from the casualty.

High-risk operation on unstable sea ice

A shore-based rescue team from MSPiR SAR’s Władysławowo station was immediately dispatched together with fire brigades from Puck. Police units and a medical rescue team were also mobilised.

Rescuers reached the casualty across the fragile ice sheet and evacuated him to the shore. Upon assessment, the man was found to be in cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately initiated and continued until the patient was handed over to the emergency medical team. Police secured the area during the operation.

SAR director: “every minute was critical”

Sebastian Kluska, director of the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service, said the operation involved extreme risk:

- The casualty was located far from shore on an area of ice with highly variable load-bearing capacity. This was a rescue carried out under conditions of serious risk, both for the victim and for our crews. Every minute was critical.

He stressed that frozen marine waters remain highly deceptive:

- Puck Bay is not a safe ice surface. Sea currents, salinity and wind mean the ice can be dangerously thin even when it looks solid. Walking on sea ice is a life-threatening mistake.

Ninth SAR operation of 2026

The rescue in Puck Bay was the ninth operation conducted by MSPiR SAR in 2026. Maritime rescue authorities continue to warn residents and visitors not to enter frozen sea areas and to report any emergencies immediately via the national emergency number 112.