November 2 - GAC has coordinated the delivery of two, 12 m, high-speed boats to Greece on behalf of the not-for-profit NGO, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS).
The boats were dispatched in response to the growing humanitarian crisis that has seen thousands of refugees attempting to cross the sea to enter Europe through the islands of Eastern Greece.
The route was planned, documentation arranged, and the two boats set off on low-bed trucks from Stockholm on their trip through six European countries - Sweden, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria - before reaching Greece.
Despite a few technical issues - including a change to route to exclude Italy where some issues with the load dimensions were encountered, and a truck break-down which was repaired en route in Romania - they arrived at Aghios Cosmas Marina, south of Athens, just ten days later.
Captain Rolf Westerstroem, ceo of the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, said in a statement released by GAC: "With this project, we are able to make a real difference. Sea rescue knows no borders, we assist when we have the possibility. For this task, we needed a first class service from all suppliers, and that's why we chose GAC as our agent."
According to figures from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, in July alone 50,000 new arrivals were reported, mainly to the islands of Lesvos, Chios, Kos, Samos and Leros.
