Viking Norsafe Life-Saving Equipment Hellas has secured a new order for 11 ambulance boats from the Greek government, expanding the coverage provided by VIKING Norsafe vessels to support emergency services for Greek island communities.
The new VIKING Norsafe ambulance boats will be used to support emergency services and auxiliary healthcare in remote areas, including the islands of Thassos, Psara, Agios Efstratios, Fournoi, Kea, Lipsi, Kasos, North Evia, Zakynthos and Creta (Sfakia, and Ierapetra).
In this way, citizens’ sense of security increases, which is particularly important in island and remote areas, for cases where citizens and visitors need immediate and effective health care.
The contract signed on June 7 by Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianides and John Georgiadis, General Manager, Viking Life-Saving Equipment in Greece, specifies 11 high-performance fast rescue boats, with superstructures modified to include a special weathertight door to allow trolley stretchers to enter their enclosed compartments.
According to a government statement, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides said: “The enhancement of the health capabilities of the Coast Guard will contribute decisively to the sense of security and ultimately to the very well-being of our citizens and especially those who decide to reside and work in-island or in remote areas. They have exactly the same rights and claims that every citizen has.”
As it is reported by the Greek ministry, the deal totalling 6,598,900 euros, is co-financed by national and European resources, and arose as a tangible result of close cooperation and the coordinated efforts of all the authorities involved.
The new boats, according to the ministry’s press release, will be constructed to maintain their full operational capability under adverse weather conditions and specifically in sea state (SeaState) to four (04) according to Douglas in order to improve operational efficiency, response capacity, as well as emergency service of cases (transportation) of seriously ill patients of the Emergency Health Care (EKAB).
