An Cosantóir

27 FLEET SUPPORT GROUP PART 1 Artificers Another good question for a quiz, however it is doubtful to ever be asked, is what is an Artificer? An artificer is a military craft person. There are three artificers in the sea-going Naval Service: Engine Room, Hull and Electrical Artificers (EA). Each ship in the flotilla would normally have one Chief ERA, three Petty Officer and 6.5 metres. There are also some Polarcirkel 560 boats. The service, maintenance and repair of all these boats is carried out by the engineering staff of FSG. With the multitude of engine types, drive systems, hydraulics, electronics and hull types the skill, knowledge and experience required to keep them all running is a vital core skill of today's Engine Room Artificers (ERAs) and Hull Artificers (HAs). When the NS is on patrols in the depths of winter off the Irish coast during Maritime Defence and Security Operations (MDSO), or in the height of summer off the coast of Northern Libya during Operations PONTUS or SOPHIA, there is no place to turn if there is a breakdown with these work-horses. While each ship will carry three RHIBs while on patrol, it is the skills of the artificers, honed by service in FSG over the course of their careers, which is often the difference between remaining in an area of operations (AO) and completing an operational tasks or having to sail for possibly hundreds of miles to safe anchorage or a berth alongside to effect repairs. (PO) ERAs, one PO HA, one PO EA and often ships would have a few Leading and Able rates on-board. There may also be a few Technical Trainees (TTs) who would be undertaking their training in their respective trades. Within the ranks of the Artificers, there are a dizzying array of trades and qualifications. Currently wearing the three stripes which mark a Petty Officer in the service, there are Fitter/ Turners, Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitters, Refrigeration Technicians, Marine Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Motor Mechanics, Heavy Diesel Mechanics, Carpenter Joiners, Cabinetmakers, Electricians, Electrical Instrumentation Technicians and Electronics Engineers. All these skills combine in various teams across the flotilla. This feeds into having a diverse and unique team on each ship. There is strength in such diversity; however they all share a few important core aspects. They are sailors, NCOs and artificers. These NCOs are far more than 'just' their trades. They are the key NCOs in the engineering department, keeping everything running smoothly. They are the watchkeepers whose knowledge of the ship's systems is encyclopaedic - to be able to keep the ship seaworthy and fit to fight. They are the key leaders in the Damage Control and Firefighting teams. They are the team leaders in the Maritime Interdiction Teams, and in common with all NS NCOs, they are all Fishery Inspections Officers. All artificers hold at least a minimum of a level 6 National Craft Certificate, or a level 7 Ordinary Degree. Lots hold two or more qualifications. Some are direct entries, who have entered the service on an accelerated programme to become POs. Others are home grown, selected by tough internal competitions for a limited number of apprenticeships through the TT scheme each year. All will be trained to the exacting standards of the Naval College across all branches, as they progress from Able Rates and novices in their chosen technical field, until they emerge on the far side of up to seven years technical and military training as Petty Officers and Leading Hands, ready to fulfil their duties on operational naval units. Continued next issue… By SCPO Ruairi de Barra Haulbowline Island MST 1 in for a service MST RHIBS returning to ship

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