Damen SAR 1906 boats to be built in Turkey
Self-righting SAR 1906 vessel (Illustration: Damen)
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. The 19m-long SAR 1906 can carry up to 120 survivors. The delivery schedule calls for the first vessel to be delivered within 12 months of the contract signing. But Damen plans even faster deliveries by completing the first in May next year and the second the following month. All six will be commissioned by the end of next year. The Damen SAR 1906 is an all-weather, self-righting vessel with an aluminium hull and a wheelhouse made from composite materials. 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 over 33 knots. The vessels will be built at Damen’s Turkish Shipyard in Antalya.
