An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 interactions between ships, or the cooperative collaboration of a num- ber of ships operating as a task group (TG). When Irish naval ships exer- cise common areas of engagement with such task groups it is referred to as a Pas- sEx. Dur- ing PassEx evolutions, common procedures such as com- munications, fleetwork, humanitari- an assistance operations, and ex- changes of personnel, take place. In April of this year LÉ James Joyce had its first op- portunity to exercise in a multinational environment with ships from a variety of European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and the UK. Like all good military exercises, the PassEx began with a planning meeting held onboard the German auxiliary supply ship FGS Donau with the task group commander and commanding officers of each participating ship. The meeting took place while the SNMCMG1 TG was alongside Dublin, having completed a courtesy call over the preceding weekend. The sequence of exercises, and provisional timing were agreed before the TG proceeded to sea, followed by LÉ James Joyce. As the ships rendezvoused outside Dublin Bay, the exercises commenced. First up was station keeping – the nautical equivalent of syn- chronised movements of ships working in close proxim- ity to each other as a group. Once established in forma- tion, the TG began 'mailbag' transfers, which involves two ships manoeuvring to within 25m of each other, while moving, and transferring light packages (5kg or less) from one to the other. This exercises the 'driving' capabili- ties of the captains or their officers-of-the-watch (OOWs). The dangers for such exercises include collisions or injury to personnel on deck while en- gaged in the transfer of stores. The James Joyce proved highly capable as a stable platform to work with the other ships in close proximity. The ships resumed station- keeping exercises on comple- tion of the transfers and conducted numerous course and speed alterations in tight formation. In preparation for the boat transfer of personnel, the TG assumed a screen formation around the James Joyce with all units assuming a position within a pre-determined sec- tor close to the James Joyce. Once all ships were in position, the James Joyce launched her MST RHIB and quickly effected a transfer of personnel to and from each ship. The close proximity of the ships enabled the transfer to be completed rapidly, minimising the time taken to complete the evolution, and enabling the TG to resume exercises. The final interaction between the James Joyce and the SNMCMG1 TG was a 'steam past' for exchange of ceremo- nial salutes; a traditional way for ships of friendly nations to bid farewell to one another. Proceeding at 22kts, passing 50-60m off each ship in line, the James Joyce bid farewell to the TG and resumed her normal MDSO patrolling in the Irish Sea, while the TG proceeded north towards Scotland. The experience gained from friendly exercises is invalu- able when called upon to work together for mutual benefit at sea, either for security or humanitarian necessities. In keeping with the government policy on defence, as expressed in the White Paper 2015, LÉ James Joyce repre- sented the Defence Forces professionally, and with ease; demonstrating the Naval Service's capability to defend, protect and support Ireland's interests at and from the sea, within our area of jurisdiction and beyond, where Ireland's interests are involved. NATO SNMCMG1 ships in formation astern of LÉ James Joyce during fleetwork exercises. The bridge team on-board BNS Primula close abeam of LÉ James Joyce during transfer of stores. FGS Dillingen with HNOMS Otra and HNLMS Vlaardingen in the background, conducting close-in manoeuvres. FGS Dillengen approaching LÉ James Joyce to conduct mailbag transfers. FGS Donau as seen from the bridge wing of LÉ James Joyce. FGS Dillengen moves into position between LÉ James Joyce and FGS Donau in preparation for boat transfer of personnel.

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