Ella Sjöberg: The Young Commander Saving Lives in Stockholm's Archipelago

Ella Sjöberg, 24, is one of Sweden's youngest commanders in sea rescue. As a volunteer, she helps people in the Stockholm archipelago.

It's an early morning. An alarm: a sailboat has run aground – two people are injured. Ella Sjöberg, who lives in Stockholm, jumps out of bed and puts on her suit. Outside, the sun is blazing – with the suit on, it feels like she's going to melt.

As the only boat on the sea, the team speeds off with the blue lights flashing. It's then that the thought strikes her: "This is what I'm meant to do."

The year is 2021, and Ella is on her first alarm as a volunteer sea rescuer.

"No Need for Summer Vacation"

But it all started much earlier, with a teddy bear.

As a child, Ella and her family were often out at sea. Once, they encountered a sea rescue boat and were invited aboard. Ella and her brother each received a teddy bear – the bear that sparked her commitment to sea rescue.

As a volunteer rescuer with the Sea Rescue Society, she helps people at sea and is also responsible, on behalf of the Swedish Maritime Administration, for most of the sea rescue in Sweden. Ella is one of the country's youngest commanders in sea rescue, something even SVT has reported on.

Ella works on call, a shift lasting a whole day. Since the work is voluntary, she works without pay.

– I don't feel like I need any time off in the summer. The Stockholm archipelago is the most beautiful place there is, she says.

Ella highlights that it's a strength not only to be young but also a woman in an otherwise male-dominated field.

– I think women rarely make room for their own interests. They put others before themselves and feel they aren't capable enough.

She has experienced people doubting her, just because she is a woman. Even people she has tried to help.

Last summer, Ella became the commander of what is called "the little boat." The first alarm she responded to was with only women, and when they arrived, the reaction was: "What? Are you all girls?"

The comments stopped when Ella and the team completed the task with a flawless docking of a large sailboat.

– Then I think they realized we knew what we were doing.

Ella Studies to Become a Nurse

Just a week ago, an alarm went off – a family with two children and a cat was in danger. Ella and her team rushed to the scene.

– When we got there, the boat was just seconds from sinking. Then it's just a matter of evacuating the people and then hooking up the boat.

Despite the serious situation, everything went well, but afterwards, both the children and the father were shaken. Then came the moment where the circle closed: Ella got to give another child a teddy bear.

Do you ever get scared when you're out?

– Yes, absolutely. We can end up in situations that are quite dangerous. And then it's always personal safety that must come first.

When it comes to saving lives, quick decisions are required.

– There have been a few occasions where I or others have gone into a situation a bit too quickly. Then I can feel fear that I or my crew might get hurt.

Ella also works as a machinist on Waxholmsbolaget and studies to become a nurse. She doesn't see herself as a role model but hopes that other young people see her and can relate.

– I'm just an ordinary person. A young girl who graduated, worked seasonally, and did things I enjoy.