Mine countermeasure vessel Jaskółka begins sea acceptance trials

What are Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT)

Sea acceptance tests (SAT) represent one of the most important stages in the construction and delivery process of a vessel. Conducted at sea, these trials are designed to verify the operation of key onboard systems under real operating conditions. Among other elements, the tests evaluate the performance of the propulsion system, maneuverability, navigation systems, communication equipment and other critical onboard installations.

SAT trials are carried out by the shipbuilder with the participation of representatives of the classification society – in this case the Polish Register of Shipping – as well as representatives of the future operator and supervising institutions. Successful completion of this phase is necessary to obtain the class certificate and proceed to the next stage of the acceptance process.

Harbour acceptance trials preceded sea deployment

The vessel’s departure for sea trials was preceded by weeks of intensive work related to the commissioning and verification of key onboard equipment and systems during harbour acceptance tests (HAT).

During this phase, the shipyard verified, among others, the electro-propulsion systems, machinery control systems, internal and external communication systems, as well as mooring, anchoring and towing equipment. Particular attention was also given to ventilation, hydraulic and fire protection systems, including the ship’s fire-fighting and water spray installations, whose reliability is crucial for safe vessel operation.

Testing propulsion and onboard systems

The SAT programme, scheduled for the coming weeks, includes a wide range of maneuvering and operational tests. The integrated propulsion system will be thoroughly examined. It consists of Rolls-Royce diesel engines, low-noise electric motors developed by the Łukasiewicz Upper Silesian Institute of Technology, Voith Schneider cycloidal propellers and a Schottel bow thruster.

These solutions provide the vessel with exceptional maneuvering precision, particularly when combined with the navigation system and the dynamic positioning (DP) system, which enables the vessel to maintain a fixed position with high accuracy. At the same time, electronic systems will be tested, including satellite navigation, technical surveillance systems and communications equipment.

Trials with participation of supervising institutions

The sea trials involve the shipyard’s crew, representatives of the consortium responsible for the vessel’s construction, service teams of equipment manufacturers and the receiving side – inspectors from the Polish Register of Shipping. The trials are supported by measurement specialists from the Ship Design and Research Centre (CTO) as well as representatives of the military supervision authority from the Quality Assurance Department of the Armament Agency.

Sea trials are a comprehensive and demanding verification of the performance of all onboard systems under real operating conditions. Their successful completion will bring the contractor closer to conducting the final acceptance trials, which will be even more rigorous in scope and detail. Ultimately, the goal is to introduce the mine countermeasure vessel Jaskółka into operational service with the Polish Navy.