An Cosantóir

36 LÉ ROISÍN REFIT Asked if this was to simply move on from what was needed in 1999, he said: "Yes, you have constant updates in maritime requirements and regulations, but it was also down to obsolescence in parts, which played a big role in the extension project as well. There was machinery and equipment there from the original build and those spare parts aren't available anymore. Also, the original manufacturing companies would have moved on in their technology and plant and machinery and we have to keep up to speed with them." The second phase, he said, was over a much longer period. There was significant electrical work to be carried out. There was a full cable replacement on board, upgrading all the electronic systems, comms systems, talk-back systems, giro, compasses, control systems etc. Some minor services also took place such as removal of pipe work, removal of pumps, and replacement of all those systems, along with the replacement of the boat launching cranes with upgraded versions of the previous cranes. In addition, there was a replacement of all anchor handling machinery and anchor replacement as well. A big challenge that was required to be addressed during this work, explained Gary, was that during the survey they found there was huge degradation within an exhaust gas silencer, a two-story unit with insulation and soundproofing. "Once we found they were damaged just from age, it was required to move the actual funnel of the ship, taking off the top of the ship basically to remove these and replace them with new ones. It was a challenge then, in the middle of that, it was throwing the schedule out of sync and adding to budgetary costs. These are all the challenges we faced as a Project Team," he said. The silencers, he said, helped silence the noise of engines inside the ship and outside. "It is the exhaust gas coming up through it; we have insulation surrounding it the whole way up so the entire funnel had to come off." Phase 3 was the outfitting and refitting of the interior of the ship. "This is where the ship was brought back to Haulbowline Naval Base and the work carried out here. The unfortunate thing is we met two challenges there: the Pandemic COVID-19 and Brexit. It just made things a lot more difficult, trying to get spare parts in, trying to getting service engineers over, that was the first challenge we faced. We were hoping it would be a straightforward phase." He added: "Part of the interior work involved outfitting of the galley, the ship's kitchen. That was brought back right to the steel base – steel floor, steel walls – we brought in our own chefs from the Naval Base and got them to assist in the design of it. At the end of the day they are the end users, they are the guys that will be trying to cook our meals when they are out at sea, so it was just trying to make things easier for them." Other interior issues included soft furnishings, decks, floors, mess areas and living spaces. "Again, the aim there was just to upgrade it and make things more comfortable for people when at they are at sea," said Gary. Internally as well, there had to be machinery upgrades: the main engines were also serviced, generators, air compressors, all the machinery – all the work that could be done there without specialist contractors having to be brought in. "Where we found those challenges with Brexit and the pandemic was bringing in OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and service engineers in to commission systems, "he said. Gary explained how he had two colleagues in the office who were working in the background to bring in all the new equipment: "Assets as we call them. So they had to go on to the system, they had to be captured as new equipment and all their maintenance had to be uploaded. Basically, you are nearly starting fresh with a new ship!" The important thing, emphasised Gary, was to speak to the people on the ground, the end users. "As I mentioned about upgrading the interior messes, this is where the crew have their downtime, it had to suit them. It had to be comfortable for them especially at sea, as they are all in there together. So it was a common-sense approach to bring all the end users in and discuss all these options with them." Asked about the process of getting the LÉ Roisin ready to go back to sea, he said: "Effectively you are breathing life into a ship that has been idle for two years. So it is going to be a slow process. We did our own snag list on-board first, to see what we were going to be facing. Then we moved into what's called the Harbour Acceptance Trials (HATS). This is a significant area, a significant milestone, it is a long v The galley is a key hub of any ship. Naval chefs work in all weathers to the highest standards. v Each keel block and each supporting beam are placed according to a well laid plan. v A generator is maintained according to its running hours. Here one is undergoing a complete rebuild; the only part remaining in place is its crankcase.

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