Finnish patrol vessel to support management of EU external borders in the Mediterranean

Finland will send the patrol vessel Merikarhu and the crew to be deployed in Operation Poseidon in the Mediterranean. The operation, coordinated by the EU Borders Agency (Frontex), aims to better manage the influx of migrants to Greece and, from Greece, to other EU countries. It is carried out at the sea border between Greece and Turkey in the Aegean Sea.

Finland calls for determined and effective EU action to manage migration flows within the EU. The management of borders has a key role to play here. By participating in the operation in the Mediterranean, Finland supports Greek authorities and shows solidarity to the country facing the greatest pressures at the moment. The aim is also to ensure effective management of the external borders of the Schengen area in the most difficult territory.

- Finland is in favour of enhancing EU cooperation in border management and strengthening the role of Frontex. Concrete actions, such as sending the patrol vessel Merikarhu to the area, show that we bear our share of the responsibility, Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo says.

The management of borders also supports the operation of the registration centre in Italy and the one to be established in Greece. Migrants are transported to these centres from the external borders for registration. The Finnish Border Guard is already assisting other authorities in identifying and interviewing migrants in Italy. Finland has also offered its model of successfully operating the Tornio registration centre for use in other member states.

- The patrol vessel Merikarhu will depart for Greece in early 2016. The whole operation, including transfer to and from the Mediterranean, will last for about three and a half months. The Border Guard, Frontex and the Hellenic Coast Guard will agree on further details later this year. The area for the deployment of Merikarhu will be specified by Greece, which is the host state of the operation. Besides supporting Greece, the operation in the Mediterranean will be an opportunity for us to further develop our own capacity at sea, Chief of the Border Guard Jaakko Kaukanen says.

Merikarhu will have a total crew of around twenty in the Mediterranean. The crew will include members specially trained for emergency medical care. One group of crew members will be deployed for approximately a month at a time. The costs to be incurred by the Border Guard in the operation will be borne by Frontex.

Inquiries

Mikko Simola, Border Security Specialist at the Border Guard, tel. +358 295 421 133

Technical specifications of Merikarhu

Principal dimensions:

Length 57,8 m
Displacement 1,400 t
Width 11 m
Draft 4,7 m
Speed 12–15 knots
Power 2 x 1,420 kw

Tank capacity:

Oil recovery capacity 2 x 20 m3
Grey water approx. 5 m3
Black water approx. 27 m3
Fresh water approx. 42 m3

Recent photo of Merikarhu: www.raja.fi/kuvapankki