Some will cross, any will sail

Water ground

At WAT, I heard that the objects in Zegrzu will play the function of a modern training and investigation camp. Students of military engineering specializations, as well as trainings to perfect professional soldiers, will learn to keep roads and communication systems, to build bridge crossings, especially low-water and folding bridges. However, engineers will test the durability of this kind of construction.

The fresh infrastructure will be utilized to supply training, postgraduate studies and courses from the operation of peculiar and airport infrastructure. There will be classes on the squares, e.g. from the examination of the dilution of the bottom, the embankment of bridge structures and the construction of crossings from floating means. Scientists will survey land mechanics, bridge structural deformations, the cover of strategical objects.

The infrastructure for conducting independent expertise and certification of measuring equipment for the defence department is besides to be created at Zegrzyński Lake. In addition, the hydrotechnical infrastructure will be upgraded: plans include the refurbishment of the pirs, the deepening of the port and the construction of floating bridges, which will enable the training of bombarders not only in lecture halls, but besides “wet” and close the university campus.

The agenda envisages the implementation of investments between 2024 and 2029. WAT already has a port concept. From 2026 to 1927, it intends to get complete design-cost documentation with the required arrangements and decisions. The preparatory, connection, construction and installation work and the improvement of the site will take another 2 years. If there is no slip, the dedication of the Zgrzyn Centre for Military Engineering and designation should be expected in late 2029.

Investment in Babich Dołach

You'll most likely be amazed erstwhile you read that Naval Academy there is no own marina by the sea for yachts and motor boats. Of course, it has a base for training basic subjects, including sailing and water, but within 100 km from Gdynia Czernica, which is at the lake in Tucholskie Borach. The Academy besides has vessels that go to the Gulf of Gdańsk, and as the weather and agenda of activities allow, it besides goes on to the Baltic.

However, without its own seaport, it must keep them in respective places, rather distant from each other: among others, in the Warport in Gdynia, the Ministry of Sailing Training Centre, for a fee in yacht ports in Gdańsk and Puck. In the summer, at the top of the training season, erstwhile hundreds of thousands of tourists trafficking the agglomeration attract to the Tricity and surrounding areas, specified centrifugalling of resources affects and affects logistics and students. It makes the curriculum and training hard and requires time-consuming journeys.

Therefore, the university authorities want to build an Academic Centre for Maritime Training. They have already obtained from their own resources for AOSzM a game in Gdynia-Baby Dołach, distant from the city center. erstwhile the center rises, it will be a salvation for AMW. It will end with keeping many yachts and motor boats purchased in alien marinas in fresh years. It will besides let basic sailing, rowing, mopeding and sea-wide training to be conducted only 5 kilometres from the campus.

I have learned that the AOSzM will besides be the site for the organisation of basic and specialised training for sub-divisions utilizing miner measures, for the designation and patrolling of coastal region and port infrastructure facilities and for the protection of forces in the area of permanent or temporary base (Force Protection). The facility will besides be useful for conducting courses from individual rescue techniques for subjects and professional soldiers and for diving activities organized by Department of Underwater Work Technology.

In addition, the facility will be utilized for sports section projects (shipping, rowing, water rescue) and training for obtaining a lifeguard certificate. "The investment is part of our strategical objective: to accomplish advanced quality and attractiveness of education and training and to adapt education programmes to the needs of the national and global labour marketplace and uniform services," the university authorities argue.

Marines versus bomb squad?

The hotel in Babich Dołach will consist of 2 parts. The advantage of the land part is to be a rebuilt building with a retention and method hangar capable of holding 19 vessels, with social and residential infrastructure: training rooms, accommodation rooms, work rooms. The water component will be a 8000 m marina² for about 30 Delphia 40 yachts and Puck class and AMW motorboats.

This section will be designated by floating breakwater bridges. Cumulation of units will be possible both from the inside, in the marina pool and from the outside. The task provides for the construction of a slip that allows vehicles with sub-trailers to exit to the sea and safe boating. The architectural studio selected in last year's competition is presently preparing plan and cost documentation. The tender for the construction of the land part of the AOSzM should begin and end this year. Construction should be completed by the end of 2028.

I want both academies timely implementation of ambitious plans. A fresh quality in training those who service above water will be useful to the armed forces. Or, in 2030, a model rowing regatta organized in the Thames by English universities from Cambridge and Oxford, the AMW and WAT rectors will organize a akin race from the marina to the close ruins of the old torpedo station and back? Sailors versus bomb squads – why not?