The first multi-role search, rescue and fire intervention ship at sea from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU), built with European funds worth 20.3 million euros in the Damen Galati Shipyard, was launched on Friday, in the presence of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Catalin Predoiu, the head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), Raed Arafat, and the general inspector of the IGSU, Dan-Paul Iamandi.

“This ship is a technical gem, it has the ability to carry out missions autonomously for three days, it has the ability to intervene in fires at sea, to carry out search/rescue missions, to support adrift ships, to shipwreck rescue, emergency medical evacuation, in a word, has the ability to save lives, to come to the service and to support those who, in emergency situations, urgently need help,” said Minister Catalin Predoiu.

The ship’s builder is the Damen Group, which according to the procurement contract in the total value of approximately 44 million euros, signed in October 2022, had to design and build two multi-role ships in the Galati Shipyard, the second one to be launched next month.

The Minister of Internal Affairs wanted to emphasize that at this moment Romania demonstrates “world-class expertise and logistic equipment”, being requested to come to the aid of other states in emergency situations.