Our only

Why?

Because of the variety of tasks it was assigned to. They fit perfectly into the challenges Baltic threats. After all, this is simply a key area for Polish safety – both in military and economical terms.

Kmdr Robert Szymaniak.

I would so ask you to translate this strategical position into concrete terms. What ship are we waiting for?

First of all, the Rescue will safeguard the operation of submarines. If 1 of them fails or is damaged and settles down, he will aid him. Thanks to modern sonars and multi-band echoosondoms, the Rescue will join the search for specified a unit. And erstwhile it's tracked, it'll take command of the rescue. The fresh ship will besides be equipped with a strategy allowing diving to be saturated...

What are they?

Saturated diving is the most advanced underwater work technology. The diver's body is adapted to the force prevailing at a given depth and remains in this state for many days. Thanks to this, you do not request to execute decompression after each dip, and this dramatically increases efficiency and continuity of action. In the Rescue Team, a nine-man dive squad will be placed in decompression chambers, which form an integral part of the ship's diving rescue system.

But that is not the end. The "reserver" will be equipped with a remote-controlled ROV submarine. Thanks to multi-functional manipulators, the device will be able to execute many of the work that divers have done so far. For example, they are provided with tasks related to the ventilation of a sunk submarine or the feeding on its deck of sub-containers to supply rescue supplies.

Well, then the divers, besides with the support of a submarine, will be able to execute quite a few work on the damaged ship. But what about the evacuation of sailors trapped under water?

And here's another point. The lifeguard will be full compatible with NSRS [NATO Submarine Rescue System, that is, the Natian submarine rescue system]. It consists, among others, of a vehicle that is able to descend to a sunk submarine, connect to its hatch and transport to the surface of members of the trapped crew.

What does this compatibility mean in this context?

The Lifeguard will gain MOSHIP status, which means that it will become a parent ship for this system. If necessary, the vehicle itself, the gantry to leave, and... that's enough. another elements essential for its operation – systems providing energy or a complex of hyperbaric chambers – will be waiting for the ship. The vehicle will go under water, the sailors will be elevated to the surface and placed, if necessary, in hyperbaric chambers where they will undergo the decompression process.

In short, erstwhile it comes to the rescue of submarines, we will gain unique ability.

Yes, NSRS is 1 of the most advanced systems in this area. It operates under the aegis of NATO, but is owned by large Britain, France and Norway. akin have Americans and Swedes, they build their own Italians. At 1 point, Poland even considered whether it would not get specified a strategy permanently. Eventually, the thought fell, but having an individual so closely adapted to cooperation with the NSRS will put us in the absolute world's forefront. Especially that the construction of our ship will enable us to interact with possible successors of this system.

Meanwhile, the ship's visuals show a chopper landing on board it. What machines will he be able to accept?

All up to 15 t. For example, helicopters will land on its deck W-3WARM Anakondawhich are on rescue work at bases on the Polish coast or late acquired by Poland AW101. This will make it easier to evacuate survivors or victims of various types of accidents at sea. Importantly, the crew of the chopper will be able to recreate on board the “Ratika” combat readiness – for example, replenish the fuel supply. And this will greatly increase the operating scope of the machine.

A dynamic positioning strategy will besides be a large asset of the Rattownika. During submarine operations, the ship must keep a unchangeable position. The older units of the kind achieved this effect by arranging a red anchorage – the placement of 4 anchors at appropriate points, and then correcting the position with winches. The problem began erstwhile under the hull there were underwater cables or pipelines. The anchor may have damaged specified installations. With DP3, no specified hazard exists. The ship maintains its position with computer-assisted propulsors.

There will besides be a powerful 60-ton crane, a 15-ton auxiliary crane and 2 smaller cranes on board. Thanks to them, the Rescue will be able to lift from the bottom objects of truly large sizes. Reserves are besides important. Spacious deck and systems capable of producing truly large amounts of energy will let temporary transfer to the ship of various types of additional equipment – any container system.

The lifeguard is frequently associated with ‘Orca’...

Both projects are closely linked. Without the introduction of a technologically advanced rescue unit, it is hard to imagine the operation of fresh submarines. Especially as their plan will translate into emergency procedures different from those on “Orle” or Kobbens. The fresh era requires another tools. Fifty-year-old Piast rescue ships are no longer adequate here. But, of course, securing submarines isn't everything.

As I mentioned, the Rescue will become a multitasking platform. It can be utilized for widely understood works in the alleged lower half-sphere, specified as exploration and extraction of various types of objects, mapping of seabeds. The ship will besides aid in the event of mass disasters. There is an increased movement in the Baltic and, unfortunately, it should be assumed that at any point there may be an accident on the scale of the sinking of “Hewelius” or the breakdown of the “Costa Concordia” ferry. If this happens, all available rescue units will be included in the rescue operation. And the Rescue has large opportunities here, for example in the evacuation of people stuck on decks in alleged airbags.

The ship can besides be utilized to monitor critical infrastructure. Although the guarding of pipelines or telecommunications cables at the bottom is not 1 of the main tasks of the Navy, the importance of specified activities has increased since the Baltic became hybrid combat arena. Hundreds of kilometres of installations are susceptible to deliberate damage, and their importance for the regional economy is hard to overestimate. Obtaining the “Ratownika” will let the Polish navy to keep independency in many very crucial aspects. In the event of a submarine failure or the abrupt necessity to execute complex underwater work, we will not be forced to look at others. We'll usage our own ship to take action from the march, on orders. This is peculiarly crucial in situations where human life can be decided by hours.

On the another hand, our allies besides benefit from Poland's acquisition of “Ratownika”. How?

This class unit will besides supply greater peace to their submarine crews. Just mention Swedes who intend to buy units identical to our coat – A26 Blekinge. Poland has already signed a cooperation agreement in the field of rescue with Sweden. I'm certain the contacts will get closer now.

And here is the question: will it end on 1 “Saviour”? Any plans to get another ship?

There were 2 ships in the past, but now we're focusing on one. Its construction and full implementation are a challenge. Poland has never even had a comparable ship of this class. Meanwhile, there are already reports in the media that Swedes are curious in the “Rescue”. So possibly the ship will become Polish export goods.