Another extremely important milestone in the construction of the Kormoran II type Mine Countermeasure Vessel (yard number 258/4), named Jaskółka, has begun.
She has entered the Sea Acceptance Tests, carried out by the contractor, Remontowa Shipbuilding, in order to obtain a class certificate issued by the Polish Register of Shipping.
The sea trials were preceded by weeks of intensive and multi-stage work related to the commissioning and testing of key on-board equipment and systems during harbour acceptance trials (HAT).
The following systems were then verified: electric propulsion, engine room control, internal and external communications, and mooring, anchoring, and towing equipment. Particular attention was also paid to the ship’s ventilation, hydraulic, fire protection, and sprinkler systems, whose reliability is fundamental to the vessel’s safe operation.
SATs, which will take the coming weeks, will cover a wide range of manoeuvring and operational checks. The integrated propulsion system, which includes Rolls-Royce diesel engines, silent electric motors developed by the Łukasiewicz Upper Silesian Institute of Technology, Voith Schneider cycloidal propellers, and a Schottel thruster, will also be tested.
The solutions used on board ensure exceptional manoeuvring precision, especially when combined with the navigation and DP (Dynamic Positioning) systems, which enable the vessel to maintain a steady position with high accuracy. At the same time, electronic devices will be tested, including satellite navigation systems, technical observation systems, and communication systems.
The sea trials will be attended by the shipyard crew and other representatives of the Consortium, service providers for individual equipment, as well as the receiving party – inspectors from the Polish Register of Shipping – with the support of surveyors from the Ship Technology Centre and representatives of the military supervision of the Quality Assurance Department of the Armament Agency. The vessel will operate in the waters of Gdańsk Bay.
Sea trials are a demanding, comprehensive test that verifies the functioning of all ship systems under real operating conditions. This is a key stage that brings the Contractor closer to conducting Acceptance Trials, which will be even more demanding in terms of scope and level of detail.
All these activities lead to the ultimate goal of putting the Jaskółka minehunter into operational service in the Polish Navy.
Photos: Sławomir Lewandowski / PortalMorski.pl