Polish Navy conducts medical evacuation from Aura Seaways ferry in harsh Baltic conditions
The duty crew of a W-3WARM Anakonda SAR helicopter, operated by the Polish Navy’s Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade, successfully carried out a medical evacuation mission on Thursday, 5 February 2026, marking the brigade’s fourth search and rescue operation of the year.
In brief
The crew of a W-3WARM Anakonda helicopter from the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade evacuated a sick man from the ferry Aura Seaways on 5 February 2026. The ferry was around 60 nautical miles north of Łeba, and the operation was conducted in very difficult weather conditions in cooperation with the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service. The patient was flown to hospital in Słupsk. Lieutenant Commander Marcin Kołodziejski said that SAR crews of the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade have so far carried out 830 operations and helped 449 people.
The mission was launched following a “rescue alarm – medical assistance” call concerning a male patient aboard the AURA SEAWAYS ferry, operating in the southern Baltic Sea.
After locating the vessel approximately 60 nautical miles north of Łeba, the helicopter crew commenced rescue operations under very demanding weather conditions. The mission was conducted in close cooperation with the Polish Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR).
- Despite challenging meteorological conditions, the crew safely hoisted the patient from the ferry deck. Rapid medical evacuation and patient safety were our top priorities, said Lt Cmdr Marcin Kołodziejski of the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade.
Once onboard, the patient was airlifted to a hospital in Słupsk, where he was handed over to specialized medical personnel.
Following the completion of the mission, the W-3WARM helicopter returned to its home base, restoring full SAR readiness status.
Decades of SAR experience at sea
According to the Polish Navy, the extensive operational experience of its naval aviation crews remains a cornerstone of maritime safety in Polish waters.
- To date, SAR crews of the Gdynia Naval Aviation Brigade have conducted 830 search and rescue missions, providing assistance to 449 individuals. Each operation highlights the critical role of naval aviation in national maritime safety systems, Kołodziejski added.
Such missions underline the importance of military–civil cooperation in maritime medical evacuations and emergency response across the Baltic Sea.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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