TRAINING SHIP ORP "ISKRA"

Sailing vessel ORP Iskra - one of a few Polish Navy's training ships - is famous for a special achievement; she has, as the first of warships and the fourth of Polish sailing vessels, circumnavigated the globe (1995/96). She covered 37,000 nautical miles in her voyage of 300 days.

ORP Iskra is the second sailing ship in Polish Navy with such name. She has taken the name and traditions from the sailing ship which was in service of the Polish Navy for 50 years (from 1927 to 1977). ORP Iskra was launched 06.03.1982 in Gdansk Shipyard. ORP Iskra is a barquentine.

The commanding officers of ORP Iskra were:

-         LT Lech SOROKA – 1982-1984;

-         LT JG Czesław DYRCZ – 1984-1997;

-         LT Robert SITEK – 1997-2002;

-         LT/CDR Robert ZYWIEC – currently.

Since 1987 the ship takes part in international sailing festivities "The Cutty Sark Tall Ships’ Race”.

During long service the ship has confirmed her worth in training of candidates for officers of Polish Navy.

The ship has received many prizes. The most valuable are:

-         ^"The best ship of the Polish Navy” received 5 times;

-         "Cutty Sark Trophy” received in 1989;

-         "Medal of Peace” received from Secretary General of UN in 1990;

-         "Fair Play” received by organizational committee of „The Cutty Sark Tall Ships’ Race” in 1999;

Few of the most important employments are:

-         1990 – Trip on Atlantic with midshipmen and members of International Sailing School;

-         1992 – "Grand Regatta Columbus 1992” with midshipmen from Naval Academy;

-         1995 – ORP Iskra as the first Polish ship has sailed around the world. During that period from April 1995 to February 1996 the ship has visited 12 countries, 19 harbors and among them harbors on Mauritius, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and on 25 November sailed around Cape Horn.

 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 Displacement of ORP Iskra is 381 t. Length overall equals 49m; max width is 8m. Average draught is 4m.

The ship is equipped with one engine. Max speed = 11 kts. The crew consists of 65 people.

The ship can sail in all areas of the world.