The İznik Public Security Boat Command teams, affiliated with the Bursa Provincial Gendarmerie Command, work 300/7 to ensure the safety and security of the approximately 24 square kilometer wide İznik Lake. Deployed on the shores of İznik Lake in 2005, the Command provides a wide range of services from illegal hunting to underwater protected area inspection, from search and rescue to water sports safety.
Job Description and Activities
İznik Gendarmerie Public Security Boat Commander Senior Sergeant Hakan Muhaciroğlu detailed the activities of the command, which has been serving in İznik Port since 2005. Muhaciroğlu stated that their duties mainly cover the following areas:
- Preventive law enforcement patrol to prevent poaching.
- In the lake inspect watercraft.
- Illegal underwater research to prevent and ensure control of protected areas.
- Activities that cause environmental pollution to inspect.
- To control and, when necessary, control marine vehicles engaged in surface sports activities. take safety precautions.
- Responding to emergency calls and participating in search and rescue efforts (with an unmanned lifeboat if necessary).
Since its establishment, the Command has been involved in the violation of the Fisheries Law and emergency call assistance. 1548 incidents were intervened Muhaciroğlu, who stated that there are two gendarmerie boats in Bursa, namely İznik and Uluabat Lake, emphasized that the İznik Public Security Boat Command's area of duty is the entire İznik Lake, which is located on the border of İznik and Orhangazi districts.
Sunken Basilica and Protection of Cultural Heritage
One of the important features of Lake Iznik is the fish that emerged at a depth of 2014-20 meters, 1,5 meters off the lake shore, after the water receded in 2. Remains of a sunken basilica built in the name of St. NeophytosThe Gendarmerie boat team carries out continuous patrols to prevent illegal underwater research around this important site, to control the site and to protect cultural and natural assets.
7/24 Readiness and Rapid Response
The gendarmerie team continues its training without fail to be able to carry out difficult tasks that may be experienced on the lake in all climate conditions. Muhaciroğlu stated that they are always ready for duty against any kind of negativity that may occur, and said, “We respond to the reports that come to us via 112 with a gendarmerie boat. Most of the reports that come to our command are emergency calls made due to the vehicles on the lake not being able to control themselves as a result of the sudden swell and fluctuation of the lake due to adverse weather conditions. We respond to these calls quickly and ensure the rescue of our citizens and water vehicles.”
