The Central Administration of the Hellenic Rescue Team under the project "AEGEAS" which it has started to implement, is strengthening its forces with volunteers from all over Greece and with rescue equipment in the units located in Lesvos, Samos and Kos.
According to the project "AEGEAS”, groups of members from all branches of the HRT in Greece, will be dispatched every week to Lesvos, Samos and Kos, to contribute voluntarily to the efforts of the units and to help save as many human lives as possible. The groups will be working in shifts and will alternate each week.
Under the project, the Central Administration of the HRT has already sent to Lesvos from Monday, November 9 the rescue vessel «RESCUE 1», fully equipped, and after consultation with the local Port Authority has defined the area of ??responsibility of the Hellenic Rescue Team and designated the utilization of the HRT equipment on the island. The rescue vessel «RESCUE 1» has already been deployed to Lesvos as are the Chairman of the HRT, George Kalogeropoulos, the Director of Operations, Alexander Liamos, and the members of the HRT of Lesvos. From the early days of the operations the HRT units identified dozens of overcrowded boats with refugees trying to reach the Greek coast, meanwhile on Thursday, November 12, the HRT was requested by the Coast Guard to assist in a rescue operation where refugees were trapped on a rocky island in the Pamphylia region. In this rescue operation the rescuers of the Hellenic Rescue Team rescued with «RESCUE 1» and another private vessel, owned by a member the HRT of Lesvos, at least 21 refugees, of which 8 were children, leading them safely to the port of Panagiouda near Mytilene.
With the use of sophisticated electronic instruments available on the vessels of the HRT the recognition and location of the rafts used by the refugees that usually move at night without navigation lights is possible, aiming to safeguard the lives of occupants and to prevent a maritime accident.
The Hellenic Rescue Team extends its warm thanks AEGEAN AIRLINES, which has supported the organization for many years in every effort and to HELLENIC SEA WAYS for the sponsorship of the ferry tickets.
* The photos are from the rescue operation of trapped refugees
