An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2020 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | BY LT CDR DAVID LYONS, OIC NAVAL DOCKYARD In 2010, after a 24 month posting onboard an operational seagoing unit and all that this entails, I was rotated ashore into the Mechanical Engineering & Naval Dockyard (MENDY) as Workshops Officer. In 2011, I moved to Fleet Support Group (also within MENDY) which is responsible for the mainte- nance and repair of all small boats within the Naval Service. This unit is key to the successful delivery of small boat operations at sea. In 2013, I moved from MENDY to Planning Inspectorate & Maintenance Management (PIMM) where I worked with other engineering officers and highly expe- rienced technical NCOs on all aspects of the maintenance management system for the NS fleet and the planning of refit periods and drydocks. In December 2013, I was appoint- ed as a military Aide De Camp to An tUachtarán. This was the first time that a Naval Officer had been appointed to this prestigious role and is a particular career highlight for me. In 2016, I returned to sea as MEO onboard L.É ROISÍN (P51), the first P50 Class Offshore Patrol Vessel. I remained with the ship until she entered her Mid Life Extension Program in Q4 2018. I was then posted to L.É WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS (P63), the third in class of the P60 vessels, which at that time was the newest ship in the NS fleet. In April 2019 I was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and in May of last year I rotated ashore into my current role. What is your current role and how does the position rotate in terms of sea and land-based appointments? My current role is Officer in Charge (OiC) of the Naval Dock- yard at Haulbowline Naval Base. I am responsible for oversee- ing all operations in the Naval Dockyard, which is tasked with delivering technical support and engineering maintenance to NS ships and other units as required. The Naval Dockyard is a blended civilian / military workforce tasked with heavy technical support for Naval Ships and ves- sels. This unit has a unique workforce of trades such as fitters, welder fabricators, electricians, joiners, plumbers and riggers in addition to general operatives and other civilian staff work- ing in conjunction with military personnel to provide support to the operational seagoing units. In general, postings are for a 24 month sea rotation followed by a 24 month shore appoint- ment, subject to the requirements of the Service. I joined the Naval Service as an Engineering Branch cadet in Sep- tember 2000 as part of the 40th Naval Cadet Class. (77th Army Cadet Class). I have had a varied an exciting career to date. After commissioning in 2002, I undertook studies in Marine Engineering through Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), while also gaining valu- able experience at sea outside of the college semesters. After com- pleting the required sea time over 2 years and across all classes of Naval Ship, I successfully completed the examinations for award of the required Department of Transport Engineering Certificate of Competency and Naval Engineering Certificate. In 2008 I was posted as the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) onboard L.É. CIARA (P42) which was a significant milestone in my career, ensuring that the Ship is operationally deployable at all times.

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