The first new Naval Service patrol vessel in 15 years is due into Cork Harbour tomorrow, following its construction by a Devon shipyard.
Named Roisin by the Minister for the Defence, Mr Smith, the £20 million vessel will be fitted with its controversial gun in the Haulbowline naval base. The 76 mm Italian-made Oto Melara gun is similar to the armament on board two existing patrol vessels, the LE Ciara and LE Orla.
The P51 ship was ordered by the Minister almost two years ago and its design aims to combine the speed of the existing coastal patrol vessels with the endurance of the offshore patrol craft. It has a speed of 22 knots, and is equipped with two 6.5 metre rigid inflatables which have a single point launching system - allowing a crew to board and disembark on ship's deck. This will permit safer recovery of injured persons in marine rescues The vessel is also equipped with an optical surveillance system which can carry out coastal searches using thermal imaging - that is, heat-seeking equipment. The aft deck has accommodation for submersible equipment for diving, search and recovery operations.
The armament controversy arose last year over the fact that EU capital grant-aid for the vessel covers fisheries protection, rather than defence. To comply with EU regulations, it was decided to install the "deck protection" after the vessel's delivery to this State from Appledore Shipyard in Devon.
Mr Smith has said he is committed to taking up an option from the shipyard for a similar vessel. The contract for this ninth ship may be signed after further sea trials with the Roisin, which is expected to be commissioned by the Minister as a "Long Eireannach" (LE) in the new year.
The difficulty will be providing sufficient crew. The Roisin, under the command of Lieut Cdr Tom Doyle, from Carlow, can accommodate 47, with provision for female quarters, but the 44 agreed with the Department of Defence will be drawn from existing naval strength - contrary to a recommendation for an extra 44 in the Price Waterhouse review of the Naval Service and Air Corps, published in July of last year.
The implementation plan for this review is with the Minister, and it is understood that it is to be put into effect without final confirmation from the Department of Defence on certain key structural changes. Meanwhile, the haemorrhage of qualified personnel from the service is continuing, and night patrols among the existing seven-ship fleet have been restricted by a shortage of qualified watchkeepers.
The last new vessel, the LE Eithne, was commissioned in December 1984 in Cobh.
