www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
| 15
70th
By CPO/ERA RUAIRí DE BARRA,
FLEET OPERATIONAL READINESS,
STANDARDS & TRAINING
Birthday Salute
to the
O
n 1st September 2016, the Naval Service slipped into its 70th year and went about its duties with the same quiet profes-
sionalism that it always has done, and hopefully always will. As the principal seagoing agency of the state, the Naval
Service performs a host of duties: fisheries protection, narcotics and arms interdiction, search and rescue, are just a few of
the tasks that it is called upon to perform.
The NS projects the state's law beyond the horizon, defends Ireland's interests with its presence, and, operating through self-con-
tained mobile units, is capable of undertaking tasks that no other state agency can perform.
Based at Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour, the Naval Service currently has an authorised strength of 1,094. From its home on
Inis Sionnach, the eight ships of the naval flotilla depart on their maritime defence and security patrols.
The crews of this modern navy, who have in recent years acquitted themselves so well off the coast of Libya, are following in the
