Damen Shipyards Antalya has signed a contract with the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) for the delivery of thirteen Search and Rescue (SAR) 1906 vessels. They will be operated by the Turkish Coast Guard.
To mark the contract signing, Damen Shipyards Antalya recently hosted a kick-off meeting attended by delegations from the IOM, the Turkish Coast Guard (TURCG) Command, Presidency of Migration Management (PMM), the European Union Delegation, the Netherlands Embassy in Türkiye, and Damen Shipyards Group.
Damen previously delivered six SAR 1906 vessels to the TURCG in 2016, followed by nine further vessels in 2019, within the framework of IOM’s EU-supported projects.
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Built in Türkiye
All of the vessels will be constructed at Damen Shipyards Antalya. Damen has been operating the yard, located in the Antalya Free Zone, since 2013. Damen Shipyards Antalya delivers in the region of 28 vessels per year.
TURCG will operate the new vessels within the framework of the EU-funded project “Improving the Turkish Coast Guard’s Operational Capacity through the Supply of Search and Rescue Boats”. Damen will deliver these thirteen vessels over the course of 2027 and 2028.
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SAR 1906
The SAR 1906 is a lightweight, aluminium vessel with a composite wheelhouse. The 19.5-metre-long, 6.5-metre-wide rescue craft is able to achieve speeds up to 30 knots.
It is designed to operate in all weather conditions, as demonstrated by the over ninety per cent operational availability shown by the vessels already operating with the TURCG. Adding to this workability is the vessel’s ability to self-right within seconds of rolling or capsizing.
Its Damen Sea Axe bow ensures low resistance in the water and high fuel efficiency. In addition to the crew of six, the SAR 1906 is able to carry up to 120 survivors. To date, the vessels already in operation in Türkiye have helped to save over 27,000 lives.
Picture by Damen.
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