On 3rd February 2021 the Polish Mine Countermeasures command ship, ORP Kontradmiral Xawery Czernicki (511) returned to active service, having concluded maintenance and repair process. The vessel left the Polish naval base in Gdynia and set the course to its homeport in Swinoujscie.
Photo by: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna
The maintenance of ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki began on 14th March 2019. The scope of works planned for that process included repair or upgrade of vessels onboard systems. Selected elements or devices were replaced by new ones. Furthermore, vessel’s hull was inspected and required repair works were carried on.
The contract for primary and dock repairs of ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki was signed on 8th March 2019 between Polish Naval Port Headquarters in Świnoujście and a consortium of the Polish Armaments Group (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, PGZ), PGZ Stocznia Wojenna and Stocznia Remontowa Nauta. The agreement was worth $22.23 million.
The repairs of ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki were required as the vessel is planned to be included in the NATO Response Force from 2021.
While operating as part of the NATO Response Force from 2021, the vessel will perform tasks such as: commanding ship groups involved in minesweeping operations; ensuring safety of naval routes; carrying out rescue and fire extinguishing operations; monitoring vessel traffic; providing logistics support for other vessels, including deliveries of fuel, water and food; and acting as a depot-ship for own and allied forces.