James Fisher (JFD Global), a global provider of specialist marine and defence solutions enabling mission success at sea, has secured a contract with PGZ Stocznia Wojenna. The agreement will see JFD Global integrate a combined, hyperbaric and saturation diving system into the Polish Navy’s new salvage and rescue vessel, Ratownik.
JFD Global prelease
Scheduled to be completed in late 2029, Ratownik will become one of the largest ships in the Polish Navy’s fleet, playing a pivotal role in the protection of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) in the Baltic Sea, and responding to disabled submarines in both territorial and international waters.
This award follows a study completed by JFD Global in 2019 to undertake pre-engineering of the vessel and assess the feasibility of integrating such a complex technical solution.
During the design and construction phase of Ratownik, JFD Global will utilise its combined submarine rescue and saturation diving expertise and knowhow to enable seamless integration with the vessel’s systems. This will ensure rapid deployment in the event of an incident.
JFD Global will integrate the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) onto Ratownik, a system which it has managed since 2015, providing a 24/7 global submarine rescue service. This In-Service Support contract includes the maintenance and operation of the system to ensure it is in a rescue ready state on behalf of the French, Norwegian and Royal Navies. JFD Global ensures the system is kept mission-ready and can be mobilised at speed to reach a disabled submarine anywhere in the world.
Rob Hales, Head of Defence at James Fisher, said: “We are proud to support PGZ Stocznia Wojenna (PGZ Naval Shipyard) and the Polish Navy to deliver this world class capability. Combining the shipyard’s shipbuilding experience with our submarine rescue and saturation diving expertise will deliver an exceptional capability for Poland, as it invests into its future submarine fleet and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
“We would like to thank PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and the Polish Navy for their trust in us to deliver this mission critical capability.”
Marcin Ryngwelski, President of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna said: “Ratownik will provide the Polish Navy with advanced submarine rescue and saturation diving capabilities essential for operations in the Baltic Sea. The vessel will serve as a strategic asset for both submarine rescue operations and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
“As Poland’s primary naval shipbuilder, PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is committed to delivering this advanced capability for the Polish Navy. Our collaboration with JFD Global brings together our shipbuilding experience with their expertise in complex hyperbaric systems, ensuring NATO-standard interoperability and operational readiness.”
Jan Grabowski, Vice President of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna added: “It is a privilege to enter into this contract for a state-of-the-art system, whose foremost purpose is to safeguard lives and ensure uncompromising safety based on the highest standards of reliability.”
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Naval News comments
The project schedule calls for the start of steel cutting in December 2025, the keel laying in February 2026, the launch in 2027 and the handover of the vessel to the Polish Navy in 2029. Ratownik will replace the more than 50-year-old salvage ships ORP Piast and ORP Lech (Project 570). The vessel will become part of the Support Ship Squadron belonging to the 3rd Flotilla of Ships in Gdynia.
Basic characteristics of the rescue ship Ratownik:
- Overall length – about 96 m,
- Maximum width – about 19 m,
- Displacement max – about 6500 tons,
- Range – about 6000 nautical miles
- Max speed – 16 knots,
- Crew – 100 people + 9 additional specialized personnel.
