"Norway 1" is the name of the new rescue boat of the Hellenic Rescue Team, that was "baptized" yesterday afternoon in Kos Marina.
The boat will operate in the North Dodecanese Island region by the HRT-Kos, assisting the Coast Guard in search and rescue operations and providing assistance to the huge issue of the refugees and immigrants whom risking their lives by moving from the Turkish coast in the eastern Aegean islands.
The 'Norway 1' was delivered to Hellenic Rescue Team by Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue, RS, which is highly sensitive to the issue of refugee's rescue at sea and in cooperation with HRT volunteers, tries to prevent the loss of human lives at sea.
In the ceremony naming the vessel, attended by the RS, was the head of the Organization, Ms. Rikke Lind, the head of press and communications office, Mr. Frode Pedersen and the head of the RS rescue vessels, Mr. Thomas Skarstad. On behalf of HRT was present the President of the Central Administration,Mr. George Kalogeropoulos, Vice-president, Mr Nikos Priporas, the Secretary General, Mr Constantinos Mitragkas and on behalf of HRT-Kos, President Mr Antonis Troumoulis and many HRT members. Also attended, the Head of Civil Protection of the Municipality of Kos, the Commander of the Fire Services, the Mayor's spokesman of Kos, as well as representatives of other voluntary organizations.
Ms. Rikke Lind praised the work of the Hellenic Rescue Team and referred to initiatives taken by the RS on the refugee issue, and pledged to proceed with the sponsorship of another rescue boat to HRT, in order to enhance the operational strength of the HRT on the sea . It is worth noting that the RS vessel is in Lesvos from June and operates daily, rescuing dozens of refugees trying to reach Mytilene.
Also, Mr Kalogeropoulos thanked the Norwegian Organisation for their substantial assistance towards the HRT and stressed the importance of the interest shown from people and organizations abroad, for assistance in our country and expressed the hope that 'Norway 1' boat will strengthen the rescue forces on the island and the region.
In the framework of cooperation between the two organizations, Ms. Rikke Lind invited volunteers of HRT in the RS organization headquarters in Oslo, to participate to a joint training with the crew of the RS vessels in order to exchange experiences, tactics and rescue operations at sea.
Note that in yesterday's event was also attended by representatives of Altigator - Merio, a Belgian-French company that manufactures drones, who presented their new products to representatives of HRT and the RS. This is a new drone's technology, in which there is built-in thermal high-definition camera and wide focusing, which is appropriate in search and rescue operations, especially during night time. The Altigator is one of the sponsors of the Hellenic Rescue Team, and supports both financially and with drones equipment the work of HRT.
