An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine A YEAR IN REVIEW www.military NAVAL SERVICE IPVs On the 4th of September 2024, both Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) L.É. AOIBHINN (P71) & L.É. GOBNAIT (P72) were formally commissioned as State Ships by the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mr Micheál Martin TD. LÉ AOBHINN's crew have undertaken ship specific training courses and the unit has successfully achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC). LÉ AOIBHINN is expected to achieve Full Operating Capability (FOC) in November 2024, LÉ GOBNAIT will complete national fit out requirements in December 2024. The IPVs are currently stationed at the Naval Base, Haulbowline Island, Cork Harbour but the long term plan is to develop a Forward Operating Base for the IPVs on the East Coast. On the 25th October, the Government announced that discussions were commencing with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to secure berthage space in Dún Laoghaire. The IPVs will conduct Maritime & Defence Security Patrols on the East Coast to enhance the Naval Service's presence in the area. RECYCLING OF DECOMMISSIONED SHIPS In April/May of this year LÉ EITHNE, LÉ ORLA and LÉ CIARA departed Cork Harbour on their final voyage. All three Ships were delivered to Ghent, Belgium under tow to be environmentally recycled. These Ships served the state for a combined period of more than one hundred years and will be remembered fondly by all who sailed in them. LÉ Eithne was the last Ship built in Verolme Cork Dockyard and was commissioned in 1984. During her 38 years' service she deployed to the United States, South America and was deployed twice on Operation Pontus in the Mediterranean. The Peacock Class formerly HMS SWIFT and HMS SWALLOW were purchased from the Royal Navy in 1988 and were a constant presence around the Irish Coast for 34 years. As such, for the first time in its history, the Naval Service (NS) and the Department of Defence (DoD) undertook the process of environmentally recycling the three (3) Naval Service ships. This process is heavily regulated in order to meet EU standards for sustainable vessel disposal. The project, currently in its final stages, is being conducted by GALLO Shipyard in Belgium, the successful tenderer. Through these efforts, the Naval Service/DoD supports sustainable practices, strengthens the EU recycling industry, and contributes to the protection of both people and the environment. In advance and in parallel to the recycling process it was necessary for the Naval Service to undertake the largest ever Board of Survey of military inventory and fixed assets for the three ships that proudly served the State. This process ensures that the tedious and highly governed accountancy systems deliver on strict governance of public procurement. RETENTION & RECRUITMENT MEASURES 2024 saw significant work undertaken to ensure the retention & recruitment of our most important asset – people. NS recruitment teams were hard at work throughout the year attending career fairs, conducting school visits and attending events such as the National Ploughing Championships and National Services Day. Additionally, ships on patrol hosted a number of recruitment events around the country. These efforts yielded a total of 87 recruits & 13 cadets inducted this year to date. A major boost for the retention & recruitment of personnel came in the form of Patrol Duty Allowance for Naval Service Personnel being doubled after 10 days at sea. This measure came into effect on the 1st January 2024 and is payable to all personnel for each day spent on patrol. On this rate, enlisted personnel serving the recommended maximum of 165 days at sea could earn €20,565 Patrol Duty Allowance for the period. ARTICLE BY LT COMDR KIERAN BREEN Photos courtesy of NATO Maritime Command 24 |

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