An Cosantóir

26 FLEET SUPPORT GROUP PART 2 When an artificer has finished their two-year rotation at sea, they may be posted ashore to FSG. They bring with them all the knowledge and experience of using the boats in operational circumstances, which they will draw on as they will now be working much deeper on them. This brings invaluable resources to a unit which has a strategic value to the state. Not only does FSG maintain the working boats of the NS, they also provide support to the wider Defence Forces, including the Army Ranger Wing and the Naval Service Diving Section. FSG is also often called on to assist other state agencies who operate watercraft of various descriptions. As part of FSG, they will have the opportunity to work on everything from stern drives to gearboxes and engine rebuilds. Again, this builds on the knowledge of the artificers and the cycle of learning continues, as that artificer will bring all their new problem solving and practical experience with them back out into the flotilla. The training of artificers isn't just confined to the engines and hulls however; the artificers must also operate the tractors, trailers and cranes which they use to manoeuvre the boats around the naval basin and dockyard environs to their workshops in FSG. Launching and recovering RHIBs from slips and quay walls. Then they must also become RHIBs coxswains in order to test the RHIBs after work have been completed, as each RHIB must be in tip top condition prior to it being accepted back to its ship. This makes FSG a hive of activity throughout the year, as the NS have ships operational 24/7, 365, and if those ships are to do their important work at sea, they will need their boats to make it happen. With this level of constant busyness FSG was nicknamed 'the ninth ship', however with the arrival of LÉ George Bernard Shaw it may have to change to 'the tenth.' PO/ERA Aidan Ahern is a dab hand with a hurley and he handles a socket wrench with just as much skill. He joined the NS in 2011, when he says that "the economic downturn had led to job opportunities lessening outside, so I saw an advert for the Naval Service and signed up." He holds a BEng in Quantity Surveying from CIT and when he joined the NS initially, the only options in his recruit class were Seamans or Communications branches. As he always maintained his interest in engineering, he says he applied for his technical trainee scheme as an ERA as he "…thought it would be a good fit." Leaving his career as a Communications Operative and switching paths he began his trade in Mechanical Automation Every day is a learning day Smooth sea never made skilled sailor FLEET SUPPORT GROUP PART 2 A view of Haulbowline from the air showing the completed east side of the island Fisheries boarding Team in MST at full speed By SCPO Ruairí de Barra Photos by SCPO Ruairí de Barra

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