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Damien Murphy
PO/Sea
LÉ Aoife
Boatswain
I
am LÉ Aoife's boatswain, or bosun for short, and I'm directly
accountable to the EO, who is second-in-command of the
ship. I am responsible for the cleanliness and serviceability
of all fittings and running rigging. Under my supervision I have
two leading hands and seven able seamen. I work off a maintenance schedule that has to be carried out meticulously during
and after every patrol to keep the ship, her RIBs (rigid inflatable
boats), and associated equipment in working order at all times.
I also have to ensure that the ship is stocked up with sufficient stores to last the required
length of a patrol, which is usually four weeks.
At sea my day usually starts at 0700, which is 'Call the Hands' (time to get up), and by
0800 I have briefed my two leading hands on the
work that needs to be carried out during the day.
Between 0800hrs and 0900hrs the ship is cleaned
below decks; wash spaces, accommodation spaces,
messes and all alleyways have to be cleaned and
maintained. I then check all this work after it has
been reported as completed.
When the ship's RIBs are being launched for
boarding operations I am required to supervise all
aspects of safety. Again, my team reports back to
"I have been in
the Naval Service
for the past 22
years and have
enjoyed every
minute of it. I
have to say the
Service has been
good to me."
me to say all checks have been carried
out as per the SOPs and that the required number of personnel are on deck
to launch the boat. I then report this to
the EO, who in turn informs the captain:
'Ship's boat ready to launch.'
When the ship goes to anchor or
berths alongside a quay I oversee that all
procedures are being carried out properly and safely.
I am also responsible for the training of
the ship's seamen in all aspects of seamanship and safety.
I have been in the Naval Service for the past 22 years and have enjoyed every minute of
it. I have to say the Service has been good to me. Life at sea can involve very long hours and
tough going but it has been very rewarding and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.
An Cosantóir Dec 2013/Jan 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie
