James Fisher (JFD Global), a global provider of specialist marine and defense solutions, 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.
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.
JFD Global will integrate the NATO submarine rescue system (NSRS) onto Ratownik, a system which it has managed since 2015. 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 UK navies.
The company will ensure the system is kept mission-ready and can be mobilised at speed to reach a disabled submarine anywhere in the world.
“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,” Rob Hales , Head of Defense at James Fisher, said.
Scheduled to be completed in late 2029, Ratownik will become one of the largest ships in the Polish Navy’s fleet. It will protect the critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) in the Baltic Sea, and respond to disabled submarines in both territorial and international waters.
“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,” Marcin Ryngwelski , President of PGZ Stocznia Wojenna, commented.
“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.”