Following an order by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias and after a briefing to the Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and contacts with the Minister of Mercantile Marine and Aegean Miltiadis Varvitsiotis and the Minister of Public Order and citizen Protection Vassilis Kikilias, the rescue operation of the “NORMAN ATLANTIC” passengers, which is coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) of Rome in cooperation with the respective Greek one of the Ministry of Mercantile Marine and Aegean, is assisted by the Armed Forces with the following means:

2 S-70 “AEGEAN HAWK” Helicopters of the Hellenic Navy
1 Frigate (“NAVARINO”)
3 ΑΒ-205 Helicopters of the Hellenic AF
2 SUPER PUMA Helicopters of the Hellenic AF
1 C-130 Aircraft of the Hellenic AF
2 ΝΗ 90 Helicopters of the Hellenic Army
2 CH – 47D (Chinook) Helicopters of the Hellenic Army

Moreover, a team of the 31 Search and Rescue Operations Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force is going on board a SUPER PUMA Helicopter of the Hellenic Fire Service.

In addition, 2 CH – 47D (Chinook) Helicopters with 4 Special Forces teams are at take-off readiness, and 1 Fast Patrol Boat (“DANIOLOS”) and 1 General Support Ship (“AXIOS”) will set sail from the Salamis Naval Base, while 2 S-70 “AEGEAN HAWK” Helicopters of the Hellenic Navy are at allocation readiness at Kotroni.

Besides the aforementioned, the Corfu Airport is organised and a local Flying Means Operations Centre, led by a Hellenic AF supreme officer, is already operating.