The patrol vessel Þór is the flagship of the ICG and is one of the most advanced vessels of its type. With the arrival of the vessel in 2011, a huge step was taken in mariner safety in, and the surveillance of Icelandic waters; whether in the field of resource protection, fisheries monitoring, law enforcement, search or rescue. In addition, the vessel can provide support responses and defences against the threat of terrorism as well as being useful for co-operating with police special forces and customs. The vessel, moreover, is equipped with powerful pollution prevention equipment. Þór also has considerable towing capabilities. The pivot point of the towing cable is in front of the steering and propellers, making it easy to change course even if towing a much larger and heavier vessel. The patrol vessel can be used as a mobile control centre during emergencies and can link the rescue teams to the co-ordination station in Skógarhlíð even if all normal telecommunications are unavailable, e.g., due to natural disasters or disruptions. It is especially designed with the needs of the Icelandic society and future challenges in the North Atlantic in mind. This makes Þór a powerful link in the chain of search and rescue entities in this unforgiving ocean environment.