Damen has signed a contract with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Ankara, Turkey for the supply of six Search and Rescue (SAR) vessels for delivery in 2017.
The boats are being financed by the European Union and will be operated by the Turkish Coastguard (TURCG), to support refugee and migrant rescue operations.
SAR 1906
The Damen SAR 1906 is the result of a five-year R&D programme initiated by Damen in partnership with the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM), Delft University of Technology and De Vries Lentsch Naval Architects. It is an all-weather, self-righting vessel with an aluminium hull and a composite wheelhouse. The hull design is based on Damen’s Axe Bow technology, adapted for the specific operations of rescue boats. It has a top speed of 33+ knots.
The vessels will be deployed by Turkish Coast Guard along Turkey’s coast line, giving assistance to refugees and migrants fleeing nearby conflict zones. Although relatively compact, the 19-metre SAR 1906 can carry up to 120 survivors.
Delivery before 2018
The boats will be built at Damen’s Turkish Shipyard in Antalya (DSA). The delivery schedule calls for the first vessel to be delivered within twelve months of the contract signing, however DSA plans to beat that by delivering the first in May next year and the second the following month. All six will be commissioned by the year end.
