Rescue 4’s Major Milestone and the Names Behind It

There was a moment of silence inside Station 4, Mykonos rescue base, as Rescue 4 entered her boathouse for the very first time.

After years of planning, construction, fundraising, and anticipation, the station’s new Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) was carefully guided into position on a specially engineered trailer that had itself completed an extraordinary journey into the base.

For everyone involved, it was the culmination of years of hard work and a significant step forward in the station’s ability to save lives at sea.

A Trailer Unlike Any Other

Before Rescue 4 could be safely housed inside the base, a custom-built trailer had to be installed on the boathouse rail system.

Head of Fleet and Facilities, Graeme Harding, explained: “The trailer was transported to the site in sections and assembled next to the slipway. Weighing 13.5 tonnes, it could not simply be lifted into place on the rail system. Instead, the team attached large hoist bags to the trailer and used a crane to lower it into the water. From there, it was carefully floated into position, while divers guided it onto the rails until the wheels engaged securely with the track.”

The trailer itself was designed specifically for the ORC and built to withstand the harsh marine environment. Graeme added that it includes specialised anti-corrosion treatments and a hydraulic shock system that allows it to move smoothly around the curved rail system inside the base.

Once complete, the trailer connects to a large hydraulic winch inside the station, which can safely pull the combined 30-tonne weight of the boat and trailer into the boathouse.

“Seeing Her Finally Home”

For Mykonos Station Commander Nic Stevens, the moment Rescue 4 entered the base carried enormous emotional weight.

“This has been a long journey, from initially having the vessel allocated to Mykonos, through both the base build and the boat build itself, so it is incredibly rewarding to finally see everything come together as a completed project,” he said.

“There is also a great sense of relief in having Rescue 4 safely in her boathouse and no longer exposed to the elements 24/7,” he added. “Seeing her finally home makes all the hard work feel worthwhile.”

Until now, the vessel had been moored outside on a floating jetty, leaving her exposed to sun damage, marine growth, and the challenges of maintenance in the open water.

“Bringing the boat into the base means we can keep her in tip-top shape at all times,” Graeme said. “This is a huge step for the station as their class 1 boat has never been inside. It is going to change everything in a big way for them.”

Operationally, the impact will be immediate. Launch times will improve, crew access becomes easier, and training can now continue regardless of weather conditions.

“Without it, training and operating, especially during evenings and in poor weather, was far more challenging,” Nic said. “Being able to train in a protected environment with the proper supporting infrastructure greatly improves both readiness and crew experience.”

Every Name Carries Meaning

As Rescue 4 settles into her new home, the vessel also carries something deeply personal: the names of supporters who have joined the Celebrate a Life campaign.

The initiative allows people to place the name of a loved one onto the vessel, creating a lasting connection to its lifesaving mission.

“The Celebrate a Life campaign is incredibly meaningful because it creates a personal connection between the supporters and the vessel,” Nic said. “For everyone serving onboard, knowing that we are carrying those names with us is very special.”

The campaign continues to raise vital funds for Rescue 4 and the Mykonos base project – and the NSRI is encouraging more supporters to become part of the vessel’s story.

Among those helping spread the message is influencer Cate Styles, whose husband, Pierre, died 10 years ago. In a heartfelt video supporting the campaign, she spoke about the importance of honouring loved ones while helping support lifesaving work at sea.

“Supporting the campaign is a truly worthwhile contribution,” Nic said. “Every name placed on the vessel represents someone who has helped make this incredible craft and its lifesaving mission a reality.”