Although Bursztyn Unity is still berthed at Gdańsk Shiprepair Yard S.A. and awaiting the start of sea trials, the date of the vessel’s maiden voyage can already be found in the POLSCA Baltic Ferries sailing schedule. According to the current timetable, the ferry is scheduled to begin operating on the Świnoujście–Ystad route on 9 November this year.

The information comes from the current POLSCA Baltic Ferries sailing schedule, in which Bursztyn Unity is designated by the abbreviation “BUR”. This means that the operator has already included the vessel in its planned network of services from November onwards.

Payment problems? Shipowner denies reports

A few days ago media reported of possible problems with payments for the ferry. These were said to be one of the reasons behind the delay in starting the vessel’s sea trials.

Following the publication, we contacted the shipowner. The company firmly denied the reports of payment problems and explained that the postponement of the ferry’s departure for sea trials was due to the need to complete several outstanding formalities. At the same time, we were assured that Bursztyn Unity is ready to begin sea trials. The shipowner also stressed that, to the best of its knowledge, all financial obligations related to the project are being settled on time.

“The ferry is ready for sea trials. The start date has been postponed due to the need to complete certain formalities. At present, there is nothing to indicate that this will affect the planned delivery date of the vessel,” said Paweł Pluto-Prądzyński, CEO of POLSCA Baltic Ferries.

Sea trials are a standard but crucial stage in the construction of every vessel. During tests conducted in open waters, the engines, propulsion and manoeuvring systems, safety, navigation and fire-fighting systems, as well as electrical installations and marine automation, are among the systems examined.

The vessel’s speed, manoeuvrability and stability are also tested. In the case of a passenger and vehicle ferry, systems related to passenger services and vehicle transportation are also subject to testing.

Construction work on Bursztyn Unity is now practically complete. Once the sea trials have been carried out, only minor corrective work may remain, resulting directly from the tests. Its scope will depend on the results of the trials and any comments or irregularities identified during them.

Cooks and other crew members wanted

At the same time, recruitment for the crew of the new Bursztyn Unity ferry is ongoing. Staffing such a vessel involves two main groups of employees – the deck and engine crew and the hotel crew. The first group includes, among others, the captain, chief officer, second officer, watchkeeping officers, fire officer, bosun, able seafarers, electricians, engineers, engine storekeeper and motormen.

The hotel crew, meanwhile, includes the hotel manager, heads of individual departments, the head chef and cooks, as well as employees responsible for hotel services. This group includes, among others, dishwashers, waiters, bartenders and cabin stewards.

“Working on a ferry requires responsibility, good organisation and the ability to work as part of a team. Everyone has their own duties, but there is no room for working alone. Especially when launching a new vessel, it is important to build a team from the very beginning that knows and trusts one another and is able to work together. We are therefore looking not only for people with experience, but also for those who want to learn how to work at sea and become part of such a team,” emphasises Krzysztof Wiszniewski, Director of Unity Line We Are POLSCA.

According to POLSCA, part of the Bursztyn Unity crew has already been assembled from employees working on the shipowner’s other ferries. Recruitment is still underway, however, for cooks, hotel staff and seafarers.

The recruitment drive is not limited to the new vessel. Due to staff rotations and crew arrangements, Unity Line We Are POLSCA is also currently looking for people to work on the other ferries operating between Poland and Sweden.

The shipowner provides employees with accommodation and meals on board, as well as the necessary training. Salaries are paid in US dollars. Employees and their families are also entitled to discounted fares for sailings.

People interested in working on the ferries can send their CV and cover letter to rekrutacja@unityline.pl or aplikacje.promy@polsteam.com.