New rescue boats for MSPiR
In April this year, construction on two new, specialized cabin rescue boats of the SAR-1501 type for the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR) began. The units are being built at the Swede Ship Marine shipyard in Sweden, with the delivery of the first unit scheduled for autumn this year. The second unit is expected to be delivered at the turn of 2026/2027. The boats will be named Poryw and Morka.
The SAR-1501 type units
The new SAR-1501 units are fast, cabin-equipped, multipurpose rescue boats designed for search and rescue operations in the Vistula Lagoon, the Szczecin Lagoon, and the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. Their primary task will be conducting SAR operations, including searching for people and objects, evacuating individuals from the water, vessels, and lifesaving craft, transporting casualties, providing pre-hospital medical care, and cooperating with rescue helicopters.
Technical details of the boats
Technically, these are vessels approximately 15 meters long, with a shallow draft and high speed, equipped with waterjet propulsion. They are built to operate in harsh hydrometeorological conditions, including shallow and demanding lagoon waters. A key feature of the project is the composite hull and solutions that enhance the safety of both the crew and rescued persons, including self-righting capability after a capsize.
Technological solutions applied
Among the notable features are a flexibly mounted, soundproofed wheelhouse, advanced navigation and communication systems, medical equipment, the capacity to transport casualties on stretchers, towing capabilities for smaller vessels, firefighting equipment, and an integrated rescue watercraft/platform, particularly useful in areas difficult to access for a larger boat.
The role of PRS in building the units for MSPiR
PRS plays a key role in the construction project of both boats. As a classification society, we supervise the entire construction process—from the technical assessment of documentation to granting the units a PRS class and approving them for operational service.
Verification of design and documentation
Prior to the start of physical work, PRS surveyors checked the technical plans and designs provided by the Swede Ship Marine shipyard, verifying their compliance with classification rules and international maritime safety standards.
Supervision of the construction process
A surveyor from the PRS Gdynia Agency is inspecting the quality and correctness of the work performed directly at the shipyard premises in Djupvik, Sweden. Verification includes assessing materials used during production (such as aluminum alloys or composites) as well as equipment and systems installed on both boats for compliance with the Rules of the Polish Register of Shipping.
Testing and commissioning
PRS will participate in the acceptance tests of the completed boats (both moored and at sea), evaluating stability, speed parameters (over 30 knots), and the performance of deck, machinery, and navigation systems.
PRS classification and certification
The final phase of the work will be the issuance of classification documents and class certificates, which will formally approve the boats Poryw and Morka for safe service within MSPiR structures.
A fundamental increase in maritime safety
The deployment of these new units, which will replace the aging R-17 class vessels, will directly improve the effectiveness of life-saving and property-rescue operations in the Polish zone of the Baltic Sea. Thanks to quick response capabilities (speed), mobility, maneuverability, shallow-water access, all-weather operational adaptability, and advanced technical-medical support, response times to reach victims will be dramatically reduced, fundamentally boosting crew safety.
Photos of construction stages of modern SAR-1501 type units
