The fourth minehunter launched
The christening and launching ceremony of the future vessel ORP Jaskółka – the fourth Kormoran II-type mine countermeasure vessel – was held at Remontowa Shipbuilding on Wednesday, 26 June.
– In a moment the 10th modern ship, built here for the Polish Navy, will be launched. This is a proof of our shipyard’s return to its main specialisation, that was possible because the Polish Navy, after many years, returned to Remontowa Shipbuilding – said Adam Ruszkowski, CEO of Remontowa Holding, shortly after welcoming the guests.
– Thank you for the opportunity to regularly participate in successive ceremonies at the Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. shipyard. The burning of metal plates, laying the keel or, as today, launching a ship (…) These ceremonies show the trend of reconstructing the Navy, its importance and position in Poland’s national security system. They also show the shipyard’s potential in constructing state-of-the-art, complex ships that will support the Navy and export potential emerging on the horizon thanks to the fact that competence, high-class personnel and cost-optimised production are right here – said Jacek Siewiera, Secretary of State, Head of the National Security Bureau.
Maciej Samsonowicz, advisor to the Minister of National Defence, read out a letter sent to the participants in the ceremony by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
“The consequences of the war across our eastern border, where Russia invaded Ukraine, show how important the security of the Polish Coast, the Baltic Sea, critical infrastructure and free navigation is. A modern Navy capable of performing a variety of tasks, whether in peacetime, crisis or war, is essential to ensure this security,” the Deputy Prime Minister wrote, among other things.
– The ships under construction are a response to the constant threat of sea mines, which pose a real danger to navigation, free passage and sea routes. It is these ships that will act to strengthen transatlantic ties, solidarity, credibility and the effectiveness of the NATO Alliance (…) We are increasing the size of our naval forces, we are implementing modern technologies, corresponding to contemporary threats at sea – emphasised the Inspector of the Polish Navy, Vice Admiral Jarosław Ziemiański.
The competence of Polish shipbuilders was also highlighted by Mieczysław Struk, the Pomeranian Marshal, who said that the fact that Polish shipyards can successfully build state-of-the-art vessels fills him with pride, generates thousands of jobs, results in a large capital flow and ensures the security of critical infrastructure.
Janusz Dilling of the Polish Register of Shipping presented Dariusz Jaguszewski, CEO of Remontowa Shipbuilding, with a certificate of readiness of the ship for launching.
After the blessing of the ship by the chaplains, godmother Malgorzata Zdonek, wife of Rear Admiral Christopher Zdonek, named the ship Jaskółka (Swallow). After a champagne bottle was smashed against the shull, red and white confetti was fired and the ship’s typhoon sounded.
The ship, once handed over to the Navy, will become part of the 12th Minesweeper Squadron and will be stationed at the Świnoujście Naval Base.
Photos: Maciej Bielesz/ PortalMorski.pl
Source: Remontowa Shipbuilding
