ARES Shipyard has launched the first boat under the 16-vessel ARES 18 SAR Search and Rescue Boat Project being built for Türkiye’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety.
The first ARES 18 SAR boat was successfully launched after the project entered serial production with the steel-cutting ceremony held in October 2025. The launch marks an important milestone in the modernization of Türkiye’s search and rescue fleet.
ARES Shipyard Chairman Kerim Kalafatoğlu stated that the first vessel of the new-generation search and rescue boat series has hit the water and is now ready for the next phase.
According to Kalafatoğlu, the milestone reflects ARES Shipyard’s ability to design, build and deliver mission-ready vessels for coast guard units, maritime authorities and government institutions around the world.
16 Search and Rescue Boats for Coastal Safety
The project covers the construction of 16 ARES 18 SAR boats for the Directorate General of Coastal Safety under Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure.
The boats are designed to strengthen Türkiye’s search and rescue capacity, maritime safety and emergency response capability across national waters and the Turkish Straits.
The first major production stage of the project was completed in October 2025 with the steel-cutting ceremony at ARES Shipyard’s facilities. The ceremony was attended by Director General of Coastal Safety Mustafa Bankaoğlu, ARES Shipyard CEO Oğuzhan Pehlivanlı, institutional representatives, engineers, technicians and project stakeholders.
ARES 18 SAR Design
ARES 18 SAR boats are high-performance search and rescue platforms built with aluminum hulls.
The vessels measure 18.50 meters in length and are being constructed in compliance with Türk Loydu classification rules. They are designed to operate under demanding sea conditions and support 24/7 missions in Türkiye’s maritime jurisdiction areas.
The boats are expected to contribute to the protection of life, property, environment and maritime security by increasing the operational flexibility of the Coastal Safety fleet.
Continuation of ARES’ Serial Production Experience
The ARES 18 SAR project follows ARES Shipyard’s previously completed 188-unit Fast Patrol Boat project.
With this new program, ARES is expanding its role in Türkiye’s maritime safety ecosystem from patrol and control boats to modern search and rescue platforms.
The launch of the first ARES 18 SAR boat shows that the project has moved from production preparation to physical delivery stages. Following sea trials and acceptance processes, the boats are expected to enter service with the Directorate General of Coastal Safety.
Strategic Importance
The ARES 18 SAR project is important for Türkiye’s maritime safety infrastructure.
Search and rescue boats are critical assets for emergency response, accident intervention, evacuation, maritime traffic safety and operations in difficult weather and sea conditions.
By building the boats domestically, Türkiye strengthens its local shipbuilding capability while modernizing the fleet of one of its key maritime safety institutions.
For ARES Shipyard, the launch of the first ARES 18 SAR boat reinforces the company’s position as one of Türkiye’s leading builders of mission-ready patrol, coast guard and search and rescue vessels.
