New water ambulance arrives in Corfu!
water ambulance
17 Nov 2021
/ 10:49
CORFU. The long-awaited Coastguard patrol boat has now arrived in Corfu.
The vessel is fully equipped for the transfer of patients. According to Deputy Regional Governor Kostas Zorbas, the Regional Authority has arranged for another boat to come at around the end of December.
The new water ambulance was funded by the Ionian Islands PEP Programme and is one of the first to be acquired by the Ministry of Merchant Marine and Islands Policy to cover the increased needs of patients and injuries on the islands due to the distance from fully-equipped health facilities.
The first boat was sent to Skiathos Coastguard on 18 October, to cover the North Sporades area. This was followed by Aegina Coastguard on 21 October, which, in turn, is being followed by Corfu, Ithaca and Samothraki.
The official ceremony to hand over the vessel to Corfu Coastguard is taking place on Monday with the Marine Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis and the Hellenic Coastguard Chief.
The newly-constructed boat has two 350hp diesel engines, each providing a speed of 45 knots. It has modern radar and radio navigation systems as well as the latest medical equipment.
Amongst other equipment, there is a defibrillator and monitor, a special ventilator, 2 special stretchers (one with a ramp to allow it to go onto land). Along with the patient and doctor, it can accommodate two paramedics and up to four others (relatives etc.).
The boat will serve the area around Corfu and the small islands (Diapontia Islands, Paxos and Antipaxos).
The new water ambulance was funded by the Ionian Islands PEP Programme and is one of the first to be acquired by the Ministry of Merchant Marine and Islands Policy to cover the increased needs of patients and injuries on the islands due to the distance from fully-equipped health facilities.
The first boat was sent to Skiathos Coastguard on 18 October, to cover the North Sporades area. This was followed by Aegina Coastguard on 21 October, which, in turn, is being followed by Corfu, Ithaca and Samothraki.
The official ceremony to hand over the vessel to Corfu Coastguard is taking place on Monday with the Marine Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis and the Hellenic Coastguard Chief.
The newly-constructed boat has two 350hp diesel engines, each providing a speed of 45 knots. It has modern radar and radio navigation systems as well as the latest medical equipment.
Amongst other equipment, there is a defibrillator and monitor, a special ventilator, 2 special stretchers (one with a ramp to allow it to go onto land). Along with the patient and doctor, it can accommodate two paramedics and up to four others (relatives etc.).
The boat will serve the area around Corfu and the small islands (Diapontia Islands, Paxos and Antipaxos).
