The search and rescue boat of DAK-SAR, founded in 1993 by retired Rear Admiral Varol Atalay under the roof of the Seafarers Solidarity Association, met the water at İÇDAŞ Shipyard with donations from benefactors and the personal efforts of board chairman Murat Kaya.
The boat named Admiral Atalay, named after DAK-SAR’s founder retired Rear Admiral Varol Atalay, was 11 meters long and built to be suitable for towing. The boat is expected to enter service soon.
We build our own boat
DAKSAR Board Chairman Murat Kaya told the story of the new boat at the panel organized by Koç University Maritime Forum (KUDENFOR) on the 15th anniversary of the death of retired Rear Admiral Varol Atalay as follows:
We started a project in 2023 and decided to build a boat. We started building a 10.5-meter boat suitable for towing. It is not very fast. We will name it Admiral Atalay. They took the boat to the workshop. The rudder assembly has started. We are renewing our boats. We are publishing the rescues and operations we have done on social media. Admiral Varol was determined. I took him as an example for myself. I remember him with gratitude.”
We touched 10 thousand people
Kaya expressed the point DAKSAR has reached as follows:
“We have served 10 thousand citizens. Our area of responsibility is a semi-wide area. Our personnel is familiar with the sea. I have been in this association for 20 years. Our shift was 24 hours before the pandemic. If those in trouble at sea are within our authority and capacity, we rescue them and provide fuel support. In cases that are beyond our capacity, we inform the Coast Guard and Coastal Safety. Our difference is that we employ disabled personnel and provide training for safety at sea. The level of education is high. We help find a job. We have published 3 books on the subject in economic enterprise. These were offered for sale to DAKSAR for income. We handle it with 2 75 horsepower machines. We have 9 rescue boats, 1 domestic support boat.”