During the first nine months of the year, the Coastal Safety teams provided pilotage services to a total of 37,128 vessels navigating through the Turkish straits. By 2024, 861 people were rescued via 200 lifesaving operations. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu evaluated the operational activities of the Coastal Safety Directorate (CSD) for the January-September 2024 period. Highlighting their efforts to strengthen the CSD fleet, Uraloğlu emphasized steps taken towards the domestic production of 4 tugboats and 6 pilotage boats in Turkish shipyards. Uraloğlu stated, “With a fleet of 100 modernized vehicles in various types and classes, equipped with local and national software and technologies, along with a team of over 2,000 experienced personnel, we ensure navigation safety in the Blue Homeland, particularly in the Turkish straits, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Uraloğlu provided details on the rescue operations in the Istanbul and Çanakkale straits carried out by the Coastal Safety teams during the first 9 months of 2024, indicating that 861 people were saved in 200 rescue operations during this period. Additionally, he mentioned that they carried out 19 successful vessel salvage operations, contributing to the enhancement of navigation safety, protection of lives, properties, and the environment. Providing escort services in areas with heavy marine traffic for safe vessel transit was also emphasized by Uraloğlu. In the January-September 2024 period, they provided escort services to 8,595 vessels to intervene rapidly in cases of emergencies or malfunctions for navigation safety enhancement initiatives. Furthermore, within the scope of port towage services to assist ships maneuvering in ports and narrow waters, 4,963 operations were conducted. Uraloğlu also addressed the pilotage service provided in the Istanbul and Çanakkale straits, stating, “Within 9 months, we offered pilotage services to 19,263 vessels, constituting 61.8% of the 31,161 vessels passing through the Istanbul Strait. In the case of the Çanakkale Strait, 17,865 vessels, accounting for 51.6% of the 34,646 vessels passing through, were guided by our pilot captains. In total, pilotage services were provided to 37,128 vessels in the Turkish straits over 9 months.”