An Cosantóir

| 35 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 is also available from the bridge, which will aid damage control and fire-fighting ops. Other new bridge equipment includes a 3-D echo sounder, which allows for limited seabed mapping; a voyage data recorder; a Raytheon Mins 4000 laser gyro-compass; and an extensive array of direction-finding equipment. Containers - The after deck has been redesigned and enlarged to enable deployment of three 20ft ISO standard contain- ers. Power supplies are provided for standard, refrigeration or specialised Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) containers depend- ing on mission profile. Independent movement of containers is possible utilising vessels hydraulic crane rated to lift 5 tonne at maximum extension. RIBS - Vessels will carry two MST 8m inboard diesel RIBS and also be fitted with a cradle above the after deck for a third RIB. RIBs will be deployed from single point davits and will be capable of operating at speeds of up to 30 knots in moderate sea condi- tions. These RIBs are a variant of those in operation with the Dutch Marines and are capable of tactical "over-the-horizon" operations for force protection, identification, surveillance and interception operations. Accommodation - The vessel has been designed for a comple- ment of 54 personnel + 1 VIP (44 Crew and 10 trainees). Officers and senior NCOs will have single berths, with double berths for Junior Ratings, and two four berth cabins for trainees. Two gym- nasiums containing a range of commercial fitness equipment and an internet room are provided for use by ships crews. Medical Facilities - The vessels will be provided with sick bays fit- ted out to provide primary medical care, resuscitation, stabilisation and holding capability for two persons for both own-crew needs and Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations. The sick bays will also be fitted with equipment to allow for a Tele Medicine Communica- tions Link to land via Ku Band satellite communications system. Mast - Vessels will be fitted with a newly designed steel mast allowing for internal access to Radar platforms and yardarms. New variant masts have been designed to allow for the fitting of further equipment at a future date as newer, more improved technology is developed. Construction of the first of the new vessels began in December 2011, with the keel being laid on the 18th May 2012 by Commo- dore Mark Mellett, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service. The keel laying ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the Naval Service and the Department of Defence, as well as Naval Service members involved in the project. This date also marked the arrival on site of the Naval Service permanent on-site representative/ project manager Lieutenant Commander Tony O'Leary followed some months later by Lieutenant Donncha O'Brien, designated Marine Engineering Officer (MEO) for Vessel 1. Both Officers were fully integrated with the Babcock design and production team and were tasked with scrutinising every aspect of vessel build so as to ensure value for money and a high qual- ity end product built to specific ship class requirements (Lloyds Special Service Craft). LÉ Samuel Beckett arrived home to Ireland in April 2014 and was commissioned into the Naval Service on 17th May. The commissioning ceremony was held at Sir John Rogerson's Quay with the spec- tacular Samuel Beckett Bridge in the background. In attendance were An Taoiseach and then Minister for Defence Mr Enda Kenny TD and the niece of Samuel Beckett Ms Caro- line Murphy. Fol- lowing this event the Lord Mayor of Cork City Mary Shields welcomed LÉ Samuel Beckett to Cork City for the official twin- ning ceremony. The ship is now fully operational and has completed her first patrol protecting Ireland's maritime jurisdiction. The cutting of steel for the second vessel commenced in March 2013, with the modular unit construction on-going. Forecast delivery date for Vessel 2 (LÉ James Joyce) is March 2015 and it is anticipated Vessel 3 will be delivered early in 2016. The LÉ before the ships names means Long Éireannach or Irish Ship. The commissioning ceremony for LÉ Samuel Beckett at Sir John Rogerson's Quay with An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny TD, reviewing a guard of honour drawn from the Naval Service on May 17th.

• Cover