Gdynia’s Southern Pier was the best place to watch this year’s naval parade of warships and other maritime forces units, held on August 15th in celebration of the Polish Armed Forces Day. It was an opportunity to recall the importance of maritime economy and its defense to the Polish state.

The ceremonies began shortly after 9am and were attended by representatives of the national and municipal authorities, members of the maritime forces’ command staff, as well as representatives of schools, shooting fraternities, veterans’ and ex-servicemen’s associations and others. 

As every year, this part of the celebrations included ceremonial speeches and remembrance wreath laying at the Monument fot Maritime Poland. A 21-gun salute was fired from the deck of the museum ship ORP Błyskawica.

The next part of the event took place on the Southern Pier. This was where crowds of Gdynia residents and tourists gathered to watch the naval parade. This was only the second time that, on the occasion of Polish Armed Forces Day, a passage of Polish Navy ships took place alongside the parade in the capital. The first such event was held last year and has already become an indispensable part of the celebrations.

This year’s motto for Polish Armed Forces Day is “Poland SAFE – A Safe Poland”. The nearly 200 billion Zlotys coming from the SAFE Programme, combined with record-high amounts allocated to the modernisation of the armed forces from the state budget, allow us to build one of the most modern armies in NATO and the European Union.

The most eagerly awaited element of this year’s celebrations was the naval parade, in which 20 ships took part – 18 Polish and two allied vessels (Swedish and Lithuanian). They passed between the breakwaters at the southern entrance to the port, at the level of the Gdynia Aquarium, alongside the quay, from where the surface vessels were watched by crowds of residents, tourists and invited guests representing the authorities and uniformed services. Before the parade began, Prime Minister Donald Tusk delivered a speech.

A SAFE Town was created on Kościuszki Square. Along the 300-metre route, visitors could see 20 pieces of equipment being purchased for the Polish Armed Forces under the SAFE Programme, including armoured vehicles, tanks and other equipment. In addition, vehicles that have already been used by the armed forces for years were presented, including those manufactured at domestic facilities. A multimedia military zone was created at the Navy Sailing Training Centre, featuring flight simulators for a fighter aircraft and an Apache helicopter, an interactive shooting range, photo booths and activities for the youngest visitors.

A static display of unmanned weapons systems of the Polish Navy was also planned, along with tours of the ships, including the minehunter ORP Kormoran, rescue boat ORP Maćko and museum ship ORP Błyskawica. A catering area was also set up next to the latter. Other attractions included artistic performances (on a stage on the Southern Pier) and a historical picnic at the Naval Museum. Polish Armed Forces recruitment points were also set up along the Seaside Boulevard and on Kościuszki Square.

Photos: GospodarkaMorska.pl