Rescuer – a ship that sets new standards in the Baltic. Two programs in one plant

Burning sheets for the new rescue ship of the Polish Navy is the symbolic beginning of the construction of a ship or ship. In an interview with our editorial board, right after the ceremony of burning sheets, the President of the PGZ Shipyard, Marcin Ryngwelski, talks about the importance of the program Lifeguard, construction of a frigate Miecznik programme and how these programs restore Poland's ability to design and build modern warships.

Are the programs of the Swordsman and Rescuer changing the Polish shipbuilding industry?

Moment of burning sheet on The lifeguard. It's more than the start of the ship's construction. It is a symbolic signal that the Polish ship industry can take responsibility again for creating advanced units from design to ready ship.

Marcin Ryngwelski, President of the Polish Naval Shipyard

On a day that will forever be remembered by shipbuilders and the entire Polish shipbuilding industry, a new chapter begins in the history of PGZ War Shipyard. Symbolic burning of plates for the construction of a rescue ship kp. Lifeguard This is not only the beginning of one of the most important programs for the Polish Navy, but also the confirmation that Poland is returning to the group of countries capable of designing and building modern warships.

In conversation with The Shipyard Portal President Marcin Ryngwelski presents the scenes of the implementation of two key programmes – Lifeguard and Miecznik programme. He talks about the role of the PGZ of the Naval Shipyard in the consortium, relations with foreign partners, human resources challenges and how the construction of new ships has an impact on the restoration of the competences of the national shipbuilding industry.

Lifeguard – a symbol of modernity and national autonomy

It is one of the most anticipated programs for the Polish Navy. As the President of the PGZ of the Naval Shipyard emphasizes, Lifeguard This is an extremely ambitious undertaking – both technically and organizationally.

We are talking about a full-fledged rescue ship and submarine support that will ensure the ability to operate in deep waters, support future submarines from the program Eagle and the protection of critical infrastructure at the bottom of the Baltic.

The construction of the unit will begin with the ceremonial burning of sheets planned at the end of November 2025, and the location of the keel – in the Jubilee year, when Gdynia will celebrate its century.

It is an important symbol – both for the city and for us as a shipyard. We show that we can design and build modern specialized ships in Poland, says Ryngwelski.

Polish project, Polish engineering thought

Lifeguard is created on the basis of Polish technical documentation and national license, which gives full control over the design, construction and integration of systems.

This is a key step for us – we are returning to the design of our own ships, not just to the assembly of designs designed abroad", stressed the president of the PGZ SW.

Thanks to cooperation with Polish design offices and technical universities, participation of national suppliers in construction The lifeguard. will be significant – especially in the area of energy systems, automation, steel structures and deck equipment.

Underground technology

The unit will be equipped with a saturated diving system allowing long-term missions at large depths, with a diving bell, decompression chambers and full support facilities. The ship will also receive a dynamic positioning system (DP) to maintain its position above the action area with accuracy of up to several meters.

I recommend the movie Last Breath – shows how a small margin of error separates success from tragedy in such conditions. Lifeguard to ensure safety where the risk is highest, added Ryngwelski.

The ship will cooperate with unmanned submarines – remote-controlled ROV and autonomous AUV – which will enable seabed mapping, critical infrastructure inspection and search operations.

The operational range of the unit will be around 6000 nautical miles, allowing action not only in the Baltic but also in the North Atlantic.

Modernity Requires People

Personnel is developing along with the programme," says the President. We use experience from the program Miecznik programme, particularly in the field of 3D digital modelling and system integration. Thanks to this construction process The lifeguard. It will run faster and more efficiently.

PGZ Stocznia Wojenna cooperates with the Naval Academy and Gdańsk University of Technology in the field of training of specialists, as well as with overseas co-operators within the PGZ Group.

The role of PGZ War Shipyard is clearly defined

What is the exact role of the PGZ of the War Shipyard in the frigate construction program pk. Swordfish?

The role of the PGZ of the Shipyard is clearly defined in the division of the work of the consortium. The yard serves as the technical leader responsible for the whole project in the technical field – from system integration to launch and transfer to the contracting authority. Partners shall support PGZ SW in selected areas, in accordance with the scope of the agreements.

Where does the partnership with foreign suppliers end and the yard's autonomy begins?

"Cooperation with Babcock from the beginning was only to cover the classification project. Unfortunately, this stage has extended, and the company continues to formally support us. From a business point of view, it is difficult to resent this – every company uses a situation in which the client does not fully understand what he is buying.

That is why I have long stressed in the PGZ Group that the role of Babcock should be over. We hire our own designers and develop internal competences. This is the moment to take full responsibility for designing" – Ryngwelski emphasises.

A realistic timetable and a common strategy

Within the programme Miecznik programme construction of a prototype frigate Wind It's already in progress. Launching is scheduled for the summer of 2026 and the transfer of the unit to the Navy of Poland – in the third quarter of 2029. Further ships – Storm and Hurricane – will be transmitted in 2030 and 2031 respectively.

In both programmes – Lifeguard and Miecznik programme – the common denominator is to return to independence and rebuild Polish shipbuilding competences.

We're not just building ships anymore. We are building competences that will allow Poland to develop modern marine technologies for decades to come," concludes Marcin Ryngwelski.

Mariusz Dasiewicz spoke