1963 Press Photo East German patrol boat off the beach of Rostock Germany.

An East German patrol boat, one of a dozen or so assigned to the Baltic resort town of Rostock, Germany runs near the beach. The boats effectively prevent any attempts by vacationers to swim to freedom. Those foolish enough to try to swim out to international waters are usually shot or drown, an East German told AP correspondent Royal Gould.

Photo is dated 1963.

Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches.