An Cosantóir

12 Few employers require a more diverse skill set than Óglaigh na hÉireann, and within the three Defence Forces services, the Navy surely leads the way. The re- quirement for this range of skills rests in the challenge of putting ships to sea and keeping them there. As the state's primary sea-going agency, the Navy is often the first and last line of maritime defence. When an emergency occurs, or maritime security operations are re- quired, far out in the Atlantic the Navy provides a uniquely capable and agile platform. Our western shores witness some of the most challenging oceanic conditions on the planet. There is little routine about conducting operations off Irelands coast. When the Navy is working at sea, it is a long-proven necessity that our warships must have the capacity to maintain and repair themselves. To do this requires that our ships are crewed by highly trained sailors. In the depths of the ocean there is no one else to call. It is an eternal truth of all ships, that as soon as hull meets wave, the lifecycle of continuous maintenance begins, and that cycle only ceases when the vessel is hauled ashore to the breakers yard. All hands on deck. A Navy warship is essentially a sea-going mobile artillery platform, which can also launch boats. The powerful weaponry systems onboard need to arrive at the designated time and location, in order to achieve the Gunnery Department motto of "Hit first. Hit Hard. Hit Often." Howev- er, to cast off from the quay wall and get there, you need the Engineering Depart- ment 1 . The engineering requirements of putting and keeping a Navy warship at sea can be roughly divided in to three areas; Watchkeeping, Maintenance, and Emergency Response. Watchkeeping can be distilled as hav- ing trained staff present to carry out the immediate actions required in the event of an emergency, while working diligent- ly to ensure such an emergency doesn't occur. Bridge, Engine Room, and Com- munications Centre watches are manned while underway. Maintenance requires a whole department response, from long term in-depth planning by the Marine Engineering Officer (MEO), to the practi- cal implementation of planned and pre- BE MORE WITH THE NAVAL SERVICE BE MORE WITH THE NAVAL SERVICE By SCPO Ruairí de Barra Photos by various Naval Service Photographer Sport, fitness, and adventure training are encouraged as part of NS service. Professionalism and dedication are rewarded in the NS. Every sailor is a fully trained marine firefighter. Maintenance of the ships is vital to keep it fit to fight. 1 A salient fact which a long standing traditional of interdepartmental rivalry demands be repeated at every available opportunity.

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