Akana Deniz Teknolojileri, operating in the Organize Sanayi Bölgesi in Trabzon’s Beşikdüzü district, is not only Turkey’s first domestic life raft manufacturing facility but also the world’s only company that produces emergency food and emergency water under the same roof along with the life raft. Company owner Uğur Şahintürk stated that by transferring the experience he gained in the maritime sector, which he started in 1988, to the production process in 2015, they have become a significant company achieving important work in its field today. Şahintürk emphasized that the life raft, which automatically opens and inflates at sea, especially in sudden ship sinking situations, is of vital importance on ships. Uğur Şahintürk said, “The production of a life raft takes approximately 2 days. One of its most important features is that it comes into play as a second rescue vehicle when the ship’s boats are insufficient. On a sinking ship, the life raft automatically opens without the crew having time to think, and the personnel along with the other passengers are saved.”
“We are the only company in the world that produces emergency food, emergency water, and the life raft under one roof”
Stating that 75% of the factory consists of female employees, Şahintürk expressed that the first aid kit, emergency food, and water inside the life raft are also entirely produced in Trabzon, saying, “We currently export to 7-8 countries. We also export emergency food and emergency water. Manufacturing is difficult in our country, but doing specific work is really very difficult. The most important thing for us is that we are the only ones doing this in the Republic of Turkey. At the same time, we are the only company in the world that produces emergency food, emergency water, and the life raft under one roof.”
Şahintürk used the expressions, “We are manufacturing here and doing something important. We want high-level state officials to come and see this place, to support us. I believe our state leaders should attach great importance to such specific works.”
