Offshore patrol vessel SG-301 Generał Józef Haller begins his service in the polish Maritime Squad of the Border Guard - MarinePoland.com
Offshore patrol vessel SG-301 Generał Józef Haller begins his service in the polish Maritime Squad of the Border Guard
Date of publication: 12.10.2023
On October 12 2023, on the premises of the Kaszubski Dywizjon Straży Granicznej (Kashubian Border Guard Division) at Westerplatte in Gdańsk. a unique and long-awaited celebration. With the participation of invited guests, command staff and officers, a ceremony was held for the newest acquisition of the Maritime Border Guard Unit, the SG-301 Gen. Józef Haller, OPV 70 type. This is the largest and most modern vessel in the history of the formation that has been equipped with it.

The event was attended by, among others: Speaker of the Sejm (Polish Parlament) Elżbieta Witek, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Interior and Administration Błażej Pobożny, Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard, Maj. Gen. SG Tomasz Praga, Commander of MOSG counter admiral SG Andrzej Prokopski, Pomeranian Voivode Dariusz Drelich, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese, Inspector of the Navy vice admiral Jarosław Ziemiański, head of the Civil Service Dobrosław Dowiat-Urbański, Chief Commander of the Police, general insp. Jarosław Szymczyk, Commander-in-Chief of the State Fire Service, brigadier general Andrzej Bartkowiak, representatives of the Socarenam shipyard, Gaz-System, as well as school and academic circles. The event was provided by the Border Guard Representative Company and the Maritime Border Guard Orchestra.

The ceremony began with a ceremonial declaration, followed by the raising of the national flag and the playing of the anthem. The participants were welcomed by 2nd Lt. Cmdr. SG Tomasz Kojta, commander of the Kashubian Border Guard Squadron, which included the new unit. In his speech, he discussed the purpose of the patrol vessel and briefly outlined its history. He thanked the representatives of state institutions and the shipbuilding industry involved in this project at every stage. Then, the auxiliary bishop consecrated SG-301, and then Marshal Elżbieta Witek performed the act of consecration, saying the formula "Sail on the seas and oceans. Glorify the name of the Border Guard, protect the borders of the Republic of Poland. I name you General Józef Haller” and, traditionally, by breaking a bottle of champagne on the hull.

The order of the MOSG commander regarding the assignment of the unit was also read. The next part of the event was the dedication and handing over of the flag and the flag of the Border Guard, which were to be placed on the patrol vessel, to the commander of the patrol vessel and his deputy. Then, a ceremonial well known also in the Polish Navy took place, where first the announcement "One minute before" was announced, and then "Time has passed", after which the flag raising and the great flag gala began. Due to the fact that the land and sea components of the Border Guard were present at the ceremony, they combined a land setting with a sea ceremony. Commands were carried out by subunits and crews on vessels, which was appropriately signaled.

– The entry into service of this state-of-the-art, multi-role, seagoing patrol vessel, which is the largest unit in your formation's equipment, significantly increases the operational capabilities of MOSG. This will allow it to perform various tasks not only in the Baltic Sea, but also in the Mediterranean Sea and other water areas. SG-301 is adapted to monitor surface and undersea critical infrastructure, including the Baltic Pipe gas pipeline. It is also worth emphasizing that the hull and part of the equipment were made in a Polish shipyard, with the participation of domestic subcontractors. It is extremely important for the economy and security that the participation of domestic enterprises in this type of projects is as wide as possible, noted Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński in a letter read during the ceremony.

– This unit is the most modern in the Baltic Sea. It will guard the maritime border of the Republic of Poland and the external border of the European Union. This patrol unit has the unique name of General Józef Haller. A man who, in Puck 1920, made a symbolic wedding with the sea. It was of great economic, commercial and tourist importance for the reborn Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. I would also like to use this special moment to express my highest appreciation, respect and thanks to all Border Guard officers, including those on land. You are our unsung heroes. We are extremely grateful to you. We feel safe with you, and we know how dangerous and difficult this service is. Remember that we are with you and we stand behind the Polish uniform. Thank you to all those who made this fantastic unit available to us, said Elżbieta Witek.

– The Border Guard is one of the most modern and professional uniformed forces in Europe. It has great equipment and trained staff with extensive experience. Thanks to your daily service, Polish borders are well guarded and Poland remains a safe country. This beautiful patrol boat is proof that we are able to apply for European funds and use them properly for the benefit of our security, said Deputy Minister Błażej Poboży.

At the end of the main part of the ceremony, the Representative Song of the Border Guard was played, and there was a parade of Border Guard units. Then, the participants took part in a meeting on board the patrol vessel, where they could get acquainted with its interior and equipment. The patrol vessel is intended to strengthen the capabilities of not only Maritime Border Guard (Morski Oddział Straży Granicznej, MOSG), but the entire Border Guard. OPV is scheduled to go on his first foreign mission, most likely next year. Over the next few to several weeks, the crew will be trained and trained to make the most of the equipment and opportunities offered by the Border Guard.

The patrol vessel is intended to strengthen the capabilities of not only MOSG , but the entire Border Guard. He is scheduled to go on his first foreign mission, most likely next year. Over the next several to several weeks, the crew will be trained and trained to make the most of the equipment and capabilities offered by SG-301. Therefore, it will go to sea, but it will take some time before the unit will be assigned to tasks in accordance with its intended purpose.

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