Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mr. Tolga Atakan, in his speech at the introduction ceremony held for the Gemi Kurtaran (Ship Saver) tugboat, stated that TRNC is holding a robust position in coastal safety and rescue and has attained the ability to perform all kinds of tasks in maritime.
The introduction ceremony of the Gemi Kurtaran tugboat held today in Girne Tourism Harbour. The Prime Minister Mr. Ersin Tatar, the Vice President of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Fuat Oktay, the Turkish Ambassador of Nicosia Mr. Ali Murat Başçeri, the Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mr. Tolga Atakan, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure of Republic of Turkey Mr. Mehmet Cahit Turhan, the Turkish Deputy General Director of Coastal Safety Mr. Durmuş Ünüvar, other ministers and members of the parliament and civil and military guests attended the event.
The Minister of Public Works and Transportation Mr. Tolga Atakan, expressed his gratitude to the Republic of Turkey and stated that 7/24 service will be provided for coastal safety and rescue and the Coastal Safety will have a strong standing in the region and wave the Turkish flag in the marine.
Atakan underlined that the “Blue Homeland” doctrine gained more importance with the hydrocarbon bed discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean, while at the same time Republic of Turkey and TRNC were in control of the 51% coastline of the island, Atakan also referred to the words of Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa and the Founder President Rauf R. Denktaş on the importance of marine, and emphasized the unbreakable unity and cooperation of Republic of Turkey and TRNC.
Atakan stated that he is grateful to see Murat Çelik, who had taken part in first and the second peace operations and took the title of “Cyprus Veteran” 45 years ago and acknowledged his presence.
Turkish General Directorate of Coastal Safety has carried out successful rescue missions, especially in the Turkish Straits region and the “Gemi Kurtaran (Ship Saver)” tugboat has served as flagship for many years and will continue its services in the TRNC's maritime jurisdictions.
The ship, which has been completely renovated and maintained at the shipyard for this purpose, has a length of 67 m and has a weight of 1565 gross tons and a speed of 15.5 knots.
“Gemi Kurtaran (Ship Saver)” tugboat, which is equipped with 16 personnel, has the traction power of 55 tons and has the feature of being able to travel around the world semi-peripheral without any fuel with its 21.200 mile range.