816 SAR Missions and Counting: Polish Naval Aviation Crew Airlifts Passenger from Stena Estelle
On Saturday, 5 July 2025, a standby crew operating a W-3WARM helicopter from the 43rd Naval Air Base carried out their tenth search and rescue (SAR) operation of the year. The mission was launched in response to a medical emergency involving a passenger aboard the Stena Estelle ferry sailing in the Gulf of Gdańsk.
In brief
The crew of a W-3WARM helicopter from the 43rd Naval Air Base evacuated a 67-year-old Swedish citizen from the ferry Stena Estelle in the Gulf of Gdańsk area on 5 July 2025. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Gdynia received the report at 21:00 and also dispatched rescue boat R-49 to the operation. The casualty was handed over to the hospital in Gdańsk Zaspa, as reported by Lieutenant Commander Marcin Kołodziejski. The mission was the 816th search and rescue operation of the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade, which has already helped 438 people.
- Upon reaching the area of operation, the crew evacuated the casualty aboard the helicopter and transported them to the hospital in Gdańsk Zaspa, where they were handed over to medical personnel, said Commander Lieutenant Marcin Kołodziejski, spokesperson for the Naval Aviation Brigade.
After successfully completing the mission, the helicopter crew returned to their home airfield and reestablished readiness.
This was the 816th search and rescue mission conducted by the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade since the formation of the unit. Over the course of these operations, Polish naval aviators have provided life-saving assistance to 438 individuals.
The 43rd Naval Air Base is part of the Polish Navy’s core SAR capability on the Baltic Sea. With decades of experience and a high level of operational readiness, naval aviators continue to play a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety in the region.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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