MS Kapitan Poinc to deploy FRB 850 in Baltic SAR upgrade
The Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR) continues to strengthen its operational capabilities with the integration of a state-of-the-art FRB 850 fast rescue boat aboard the multi-role rescue vessel MS Kapitan Poinc. The upgrade forms part of a broader fleet modernisation programme aimed at enhancing response efficiency across the Baltic Sea.
In brief
The Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service has purchased an FRB 850 fast rescue boat, which will be installed aboard the rescue vessel MS Kapitan Poinc. The FRB 850 boat is around 8.5 metres long, reaches speeds of up to 40 knots and can carry more than a dozen people. Maritime Search and Rescue Service director Sebastian Kluska called the unit the Mercedes among rescue boats and pointed out that it shortens the time needed to reach casualties. The boat will enter service after the modernisation of MS Kapitan Poinc is completed.
According to Sebastian Kluska, the new asset represents a significant leap forward in SAR performance:
- The FRB 850 is among the most advanced fast rescue boats currently available on the market. We often refer to it as the ‘Mercedes of rescue boats’—not as a slogan, but as a reflection of its reliability, speed, and operational precision in demanding conditions.
Designed for rapid deployment, the FRB 850 measures approximately 8.5 metres in length and can reach speeds of up to 40 knots. The vessel combines high manoeuvrability with robust seakeeping, enabling safe operations in challenging Baltic conditions. It is capable of carrying rescue personnel alongside multiple survivors, making it a critical tool in time-sensitive missions.
The integration with MS Kapitan Poinc significantly enhances operational flexibility. While the mothership provides endurance, coordination, and medical support, the FRB 850 enables rapid approach and extraction in areas inaccessible to larger vessels.
- In SAR operations, response time is everything. The addition of the FRB 850 allows us to close the distance to casualties faster and operate closer to the point of incident. This directly translates into higher survival rates, Sebastian Kluska noted.
The Baltic Sea presents a uniquely demanding operational environment, characterised by short, steep waves, dense maritime traffic, and expanding offshore infrastructure. These factors require highly responsive and adaptable rescue solutions.
- Our objective is to align Polish SAR capabilities with the highest international standards. The combination of MS Kapitan Poinc and the FRB 850 reflects exactly that direction-modern, fast, and mission-focused, Sebastian Kluska added.
The deployment of the FRB 850 is scheduled to follow the completion of ongoing modernisation works on MS Kapitan Poinc. Once operational, the system is expected to play a key role in strengthening maritime safety across Polish responsibility areas in the Baltic Sea.
This latest acquisition underscores SAR’s long-term investment strategy, focused on advanced equipment, fleet renewal, and improved readiness in response to the evolving risk landscape at sea.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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