On February 3, 2021, at PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia, a Polish shipyard company, mine countermeasure forces command vessel ORP “Kadm. Xawery Czernicki ”, which completed a thorough dock repair at the Shipyard, was handed back to the Polish Navy. One of the most active ships in the Navy, belonging to the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla, is now officially ready for the next years of service.
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Polish Navy mine countermeasure forces command vessel ORP “Kadm. Xawery Czernicki ”. (Picture source PGZ)
The contract was realized on the basis of the contract of March 8, 2019, signed between the Naval Base in Świnoujście and a consortium composed of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A. (consortium leader) and Gdynia companies: PGZ Stoczni Wojennej Sp. zoo. (technical leader) and Stocznia Remontowa NAUTA S.A. The unit entered the Shipyard on March 14, 2019 and the first works began almost immediately after that. The originally planned duration of the project was extended from 16 to 22 months, which was caused by the need to significantly expand the scope of work, including the need to replace all cabling on board with a total length of about 100 km. In addition, the final stages of work were slowed down by the COVID-19 epidemic consequences.
Most of the ship’s systems were repaired or replaced, which means that Czernicki leaves the shipyard as a deeply modernized vessel. There were made not only a typical service works, but also numerous changes have been made to facilitate everyday duties and increase the comfort of service. Examples of such changes include digitization of ship systems, replacement of the bow thruster with a more effective one, or a new air conditioning and ventilation system. In addition, the ship also received a new monitoring system of the engine system, which improves the efficiency and reduces the risk of failure. Virtually all cabling and piping were also replaced, and minor hull repairs were made.
The contract for the renovation of ORP “Kadm. Xawery Czernicki ”is only a part of the works carried out by PGZ Stocznia Wojenna for the Polish Navy. Currently, Naval Shipyard is working on two other ships intended for dock repairs at the Shipyard, i.e. the OHP type missile frigate ORP “Kościuszko” and the ORP “Arctowski” hydrographic vessel. These two units will return to the 3rd Ship Flotilla in Gdynia also in 2021. PGZ Stocznia Wojenna is thus ready to realize further contracts for its main client. At the meantime, the Shipyard is waiting for the museum destroyer ORP “Błyskawica”, which will also soon undergo dock repair at the Oksywie site.
The ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki is a mine countermeasure forces command vessel of the Polish Navy. The ship's design was based on a hull of the 130 class degaussing station planned by the Construction Bureau of the Refurbishing Shipyard in Gdańsk.
The ship was designed as a logistical support vessel, to transport troops and supplies for the NATO forces worldwide, and to cooperate with air transport and Polish vessels in distant seas. She can carry up to 140 troops with vehicles, food and equipment, and can conduct offensive landing operations using landing ships, helicopters and armoured personnel carriers, as well as evacuating of troops and civilians. The ship can transport containers, fresh water, food and other supplies, and repair other vessels on open seas.
