JFD Global to enhance Polish Navy’s submarine rescue capability

Above: JFD and PGZ Stocznia Wojenna representatives attend contract signing in Edinburgh, Scotland: (Front) Marcin Ryngwelski – Chief Executive Officer at PGZ SW [Shipyard] (left) and Rob Hales – Head of Defence at James Fisher (right). (Back) Richard Devlin – Defence Director at JFD Global (left) and Mr Grzegorz Sowa – Department Deputy Director, Department of Development at PGZ SA (right).
Courtesy JFD

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.



Above: Artist’s impression of Polish Navy’s Ratownik vessel.
Courtesy PGZ Naval Shipyard

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.”