JFD Global has secured a significant contract to deliver the core hyperbaric and saturation diving systems for the Polish Navy’s new salvage and rescue vessel, Ratownik.
The contract will see JFD integrate a full, classed hyperbaric chamber complex into the ship, enabling deep saturation diving and rapid-response rescue operations. The company described the agreement as the culmination of years of preparatory work, noting that “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.”
Under the deal, Ratownik will also be equipped to host the NATO Submarine Rescue System, the alliance’s primary rescue capability, which JFD has managed since 2015 on behalf of the UK, France and Norway. The company maintains the system in a constant rescue-ready state, able to deploy worldwide at short notice. JFD said its role on Ratownik will ensure seamless compatibility. “During the design and construction phase, JFD Global will utilise its combined submarine rescue and saturation diving expertise to ensure rapid deployment in the event of an incident.”
The 2029-delivery vessel is set to become one of the largest in the Polish fleet and a central asset in Baltic Sea operations. Warsaw expects it to support both submarine emergencies and the growing mission of defending critical underwater energy and data infrastructure.
JFD framed the partnership as a strategic investment in Poland’s future underwater forces. Rob Hales, the company’s Head of Defence, said “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.” He added, “we would like to thank PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and the Polish Navy for their trust in us to deliver this mission critical capability.”
PGZ’s leadership said that the project will anchor NATO-standard rescue capacity inside the Polish Navy. President Marcin Ryngwelski said “Ratownik will provide 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.”
Vice President Jan Grabowski called it “a state-of-the-art system, whose foremost purpose is to safeguard lives and ensure uncompromising safety based on the highest standards of reliability.”