Severe staff shortages on Arctic navy ships may reduce rescue capabilities

Staff shortages aboard the Danish navy’s Arctic patrol vessels could lower the chances of saving lives at sea, a Greenlandic emergency preparedness expert has warned, according to a report by DR, Denmark’s national broadcaster.

The navy’s Arctic inspection ships, which conduct search and rescue operations in Greenlandic waters, are currently missing nearly one in four crew members, internal defence documents obtained by DR reveal.

Patrick Abrahamsen, a preparedness consultant with experience in Greenlandic Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, said the shortages pose a serious risk. “Greenland has an enormous coastline that needs securing,” he told DR. “If the navy lacks personnel—and continues to do so—it will reduce the likelihood of saving people.”

In emergencies, he explained, every minute counts. “When small boats like these get into trouble, they have to be lucky if any of the navy’s deployed units are nearby.”

While local fishermen often assist each other in distress, Abrahamsen stressed that professional rescue capabilities remain essential. “There’s strong cooperation between boats in Greenland, which does play a role in some rescues. But it’s not enough.”

Peter Davidsen, chairman of Greenland’s recreational fishermen and hunters, has personally experienced the dangers of Arctic waters after his boat engine failed. Though he was rescued by a friend that time, he warned that harsh weather or remote locations often require specialised equipment and trained responders.

Davidsen proposed recruiting more Greenlanders to address the staffing crisis, suggesting a dedicated emergency training programme outside the military. “You don’t need to be a soldier to help with rescues,” he said. Local knowledge—such as understanding tides, wind patterns, and shifting currents—could prove critical in life-saving operations.

The navy’s Arctic Command, based in Nuuk, oversees patrols in the North Atlantic using Thetis-class and Knud Rasmussen-class vessels. Their tasks include maritime surveillance, search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and icebreaking.