New rescue boat for Hellenic Rescue Team in Kos

«CHIARA» is the name of the new search and rescue boat of Hellenic Rescue Team, which will operate in the area of ??Kos by the local branch of the organization in order to support search and rescue operations at sea.

The vessel is a donation of the German Rescue Organization DGzRS (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger, www.seenotretter.de), member of the International Federation for Sea Rescue (IMRF) and is part of the «Members Assisting Members» program, which began in September 2015, aiming to strengthen the operational capacity of Hellenic Rescue Team at sea. This program has been launched in response to the particular demands for rescuing refugees at sea and continues up to the present both with donations for equipment and in the form of training programs for volunteers of Hellenic Rescue Team.

This is a modern rescue vessel, type Panther, made of polyethylene and equipped with all necessary rescue equipment, adapted to operate in the Aegean sea , with pilots volunteers, members of Hellenic Rescue Team in Kos department.

To ensure the best possible use of the boat, members of the German Rescue Organization DGzRS will train HRT volunteers in Kos in handling, but also in research and rescue operations at sea.

We have to note that DGzRS was one of the members of IMRF who were sensitized immediately to the refugee issue, sending in Lesvos the MINDEN vessel which operated on the island from March to early June, rescuing 1,138 people, including 202 children. During this time there has been close collaboration with the HRT branch in Lesvos, at both operational and educational level, enabling the HRT members of the island to get great knowledge from a rescue organization with 155 years of history. Indeed, the German organization donated to Lesvos HRT department a vehicle as well as a large amount of first aid equipment.

The Hellenic Rescue Team feels obliged to thank all the people of DGzRS for this great help.