Damen Delivers Two Search And Rescue Vessels To Turkish Coast Guard

Damen Shipyards Group has delivered two SAR 1906 vessels to the Turkish Coast Guard.

The ships were delivered as part of an agreement between the European Union and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The two vessels – the first to be delivered in what is a six-vessel contract – will be mobilised in refugee and migrant rescue operations, the company said in a statement last Friday.

The contract between Damen and the IOM (the UN Migration Agency) for the six vessels was finalised at the end of Augustus 2016, stipulating a delivery time of 12 months for the first vessel.

However, in response to the critical refugee situation that is currently occurring, Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey has completed construction of the first two vessels less than 10 months after contract signing.

“Considering the importance of the work of the Turkish Coast Guard and the urgency of the situation in the region, the team here at our yard in Turkey are proud to have completed these first two vessels within this short space of time,” commented Damen Sales Manager Middle East Boran Bekbulat.

Construction of the remaining four vessels is on-going, with deliveries scheduled later this year.