Naval Service (Ireland)

Naval Service
An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh

Emblem of the Naval Service
Founded 1 September 1946[1]
Country  Ireland
Size 994 personnel[2]
7 ships
Part of Irish Defence Forces
Naval Base Haulbowline, County Cork, Ireland
Colors
Commanders
FOCNS Commodore Hugh Tully
Insignia
Naval ensign
Naval jack

The Naval Service (Irish: an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh) is the maritime component of the Defence Forces of Ireland and is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces.[3] Its base is in Haulbowline, County Cork.

Though preceded by earlier maritime defence organisations, the modern Naval Service was formed in 1946.[4] Since the 1970s a major role of the Naval Service has been the provision of fisheries protection in Ireland's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).[5][6][7] Other roles include sea patrol, surveillance, and smuggling prevention.[8] Occasionally the Service undertakes longer missions in support of other elements of the Defence Forces, Irish peacekeepers serving with the United Nations, or trade missions.[8]

LÉ Eithne is the current flagship of the Naval Service.

History

Two Able Seamen on the left, with two Ordinary Seamen on the right

Coastal and Marine Service

The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 stipulated that the Irish Free State would be given responsibility to police its customs and fishing, while the United Kingdom would remain in control of Irish Waters. In 1923 the Coastal and Marine Service (CMS) was created, yet merely one year later it was disbanded.

During the Civil War, in August 1922, a ship belonging to the British & Irish Steam Packet Company, the Lady Wicklow, led by Captain Patrick Ryan, was used to bring Irish National Army troops around the coast to Fenit, the port of Tralee in County Kerry. This naval involvement technically preceded the foundation of the Irish state, as Ireland was still part of the UK at the time.[9] Built in 1890 in Dublin Dockyard, the ship measured 262 feet by 34 feet. In all 450 troops, including officers, were landed. Tralee was later captured from local republican forces.

The Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga,[10] which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 rising, was the only CMS ship during this period. The CMS ship "Muirchu" continued to patrol Irish fisheries. Muirchu was re-armed in 1936 and purchased by the Irish government on advice of members of the later named Maritime Institute of Ireland for fisheries protection.

In 1938 the United Kingdom handed over three "treaty" ports (Cork Harbour, Bere Haven and Lough Swilly). Consequently, the Royal Navy withdrew from Cork Harbour in July 1938. The "Fort Rannoch" was added to the Irish fleet at that time.

In 1939 the Irish Government ordered two Motor Torpedo Boats (MTBs) from Vospers UK. When World War II began in September 1939 the Marine and Coastwatching Service was set up. In order for Ireland to remain neutral, it became clear that a full naval service would be required. The government consequentially ordered an additional 4 MTBs. By the end of 1940 the Irish Marine and Coastwatching Service consisted of 6 MTB's and 4 other assorted craft.

During the War the Service regulated merchant ships, protected fisheries, and laid mines off Cork and Waterford. By 1941 the Marine and Coastwatching Service consisted of 10 craft (6 MTBs plus 4 assorted vessels) and about 300 all ranks. In 1942 the Service was renamed the Marine Service.

Naval Service

In September 1946, the Marine Service was formally disbanded and the Naval Service established as a permanent component of the Irish Defence Forces. The Naval Service purchased three Corvettes from the United Kingdom in 1946 and 1947. The tradition of naming Irish Naval Ships after figures in Celtic Mythology began, and the ships were named Cliona, Maev and Macha. These three ships were to become a key part of the Naval Service in the 1950s and 1960s. The first formal training of Irish naval cadets took place at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK in 1947. In 1970, the Cliona and Macha were withdrawn from service and scrapped, leaving the Maev as the sole ship in the Naval Service. The Maev was withdrawn from service in 1972.[11] In 1971, the Naval Service commissioned three armed minesweepers: Grainne, Banba and Fola.

The LÉ Róisín, one of the Naval Service's more modern ships (August 2013).

In 1971 the Naval Service commissioned Verlome Cork Dockyard to build an offshore patrol ship. Named the LÉ Deirdre, it was the first naval vessel purpose-built in Ireland to patrol its waters. The Economic Exclusion Zone of Ireland was increased in 1976 from 12 to 200 miles. The subsequent strain put on the Naval Service prompted funding from the European Economic Community to acquire five additional vessels, four of which were eventually built. Meanwhile the former Irish Lights vessel Isolda was purchased to act as a training ship, bearing the pennant number A15 and renamed LÉ Setanta. It served until being sold for scrap in 1984. A Danish stern trawler Helen Basse was also leased for a year, serving under the name LÉ Ferdia, pennant number A16.[12]

The 50th anniversary of the Naval Service took place in 1996. Celebrations included a fleet review by President Mary Robinson. In 1999, a new ship LÉ Róisin was delivered to the Navy, marking the beginning of a new class of larger patrol vessels. The most recent addition to the fleet has been LÉ Niamh, commissioned in September 2001.

While most missions undertaken by the Naval Service are in Irish waters, on occasion longer missions are undertaken in support of Irish Peacekeepers serving with the United Nations, representing Ireland, or in support of Irish trade missions. In 2002, LÉ Niamh delivered supplies to Irish troops in Eritrea, then continued on a trade promotional tour to India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Korea, and Japan, becoming the first Irish naval vessel to cross the Equator. In 2006 LÉ Eithne travelled to Argentina, attending ceremonies connected with the 149th anniversary of the death of Irish-born Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy, and also visited ports in Uruguay and Brazil. In 2010, the Niamh travelled to the Americas, visiting Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and the United States.

In 2010, two new ships were planned for the Naval Service. The first, LÉ Samuel Beckett, was delivered in April 2014 replacing LÉ Emer, the second LÉ James Joyce is planned to replace LÉ Aoife in 2015. The option for a third, as yet unnamed ship, was exercised in June 2014 and is due for delivery during 2016. [13] The new ships displace over 1,900 tons, have a top speed of 23 knots, a range of 6,000 nautical miles. They are armed with an OTO Melara 76/62, and have a longer deck area that can accommodate deep-sea search-and-rescue submarines and unmanned aircraft.[14]

Assets

Until 2014, all Naval Service vessels were named with traditional Irish female names, taken from history and Celtic mythology. However, the two newest in the fleet, the LÉ Samuel Beckett (commissioned 17 May 2014) and the LÉ James Joyce (to be commissioned in 2015) take their names from Irish literary figures. The ship prefix LÉ stands for Long Éireannach, "Irish ship" in the Irish language.

Current fleet

Class
Image
Pennant No.
Name
Commissioned
Displacement
Type
Comment
Emer-class P23 LÉ Aisling 1980 1,020 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel
Eithne-class P31 LÉ Eithne 1984 1,910 tonnes Helicopter patrol vessel Current fleet flagship.
Peacock-class P41 LÉ Orla 1988 712 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel
P42 LÉ Ciara 1988 712 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel
Róisín-class P51 LÉ Róisín 1999 1,500 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel
P52 LÉ Niamh 2001 1,500 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel
Samuel Beckett-class P61 LÉ Samuel Beckett 2014 1,933 tonnes Offshore patrol vessel

Two other vessels in the Samuel Beckett Class are under order or construction, including the LÉ James Joyce (P62) which is planned to enter service in 2015 and a further vessel in 2016.[13]

Other assets

The Naval Service also operates smaller training vessels and rigid-hulled inflatable boats.

Air assets to support naval patrols are provided by the Air Corps with their two CASA CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft and AW139 helicopters operated from Baldonell Aerodrome in County Dublin.

Acquisitions and future

In October 2010, contracts were signed for several new "Offshore Patrol Vessels" (OPVs). Constructed by Babock Marine in the UK to STX Marine's PV90 design, the first ship, LÉ Samuel Beckett, was delivered in May 2014. The second ship, LÉ James Joyce, was laid down in November 2013, with delivery expected in 2015,[15] and a third vessel ordered for delivery in 2016.[13]

The Naval Service is also investigating a "Multi-Role Vessel" (MRV) of up to 130 metres and costing in the region of €90 Million. Such a vessel would improve the supply of overseas UN missions and contribute to the Nordic Battle Group.[16] Leading contenders for the MRV design include the Danish Absalon class flexible support ship and a version of the German Navy MEKO 200 design.[17]

It has also been reported that an "Extended Patrol Vessel" (EPV) may also be purchased for the Naval Service, with an option on a second. If these purchases were to go ahead, at least one would replace the planned MRV purchase.[18]

Decommissioned

Irish naval jack flying from bow of LÉ Aoife while docked in Dublin

The following vessels have served in the Service's fleet:[19]

Weapons

Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes
Assault Rifle
Steyr AUG  Austria Assault Rifle 5.56x45 mm The Steyr AUG is the Defence Force's standard service rifle entering service in 1989.
Pistol
Heckler & Koch USP  Germany Semi-automatic Pistol 9x19 mm Service pistol.[20]
Battle Rifle
FN FAL  Belgium Battle Rifle 7.62x51 mm Only used for line throwing.
Machine gun
FN MAG  Belgium Machine gun 7.62x51 mm Fitted onboard Naval Service ships for close range weapons support and anti-air point defence. Also can be mounted on RHIB's.
M2 Browning .5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)  Belgium Machine gun 12.7x99 mm (.50) Fitted onboard Naval Service ships for close range weapons support and anti-air point defence.
Autocannon
Rheinmetall Rh 202  Germany Autocannon 20x139 mm Fitted onboard all Naval Service ships for close range weapons support and anti-air point defence.
Bofors 40mm L/70  Sweden Autocannon 40×364mmR Main weapon mounted onboard LÉ Aisling.
Bofors 57mm L/70  Sweden Autocannon 57×438mm Main weapon mounted onboard flagship LÉ Eithne.
Naval Gun
OTO Melara 76 mm  Italy Autocannon 76×900mmR Main weapon mounted onboard LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Róisín, LÉ Niamh and LÉ Samuel Beckett.

Roles and capabilities

The Naval Service's military roles and the functions it carries out are those of a coast guard rather than that of a conventional Navy. Lacking both anti-submarine and anti-aircraft capabilities, and without standoff weapons such as surface-to-surface missiles, the Naval Service's ability to control Ireland's territorial waters and provide close naval support is extremely limited. Sea lift is also limited and ad hoc. The Naval Service's non-military capabilities in aid to the civil power and other Government departments is almost exclusively fishery protection but also include search and rescue, drugs interdiction and dive support.

Irish territorial waters and EEZ

Since the 1960s Ireland has seen its jurisdiction over the North Atlantic extend from 3 nautical miles (pre-1967) to 12 nautical miles (pre-1990s). This was increased to 200 nautical miles again in 1994 when the introduction of the exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) gave approval to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This convention grants the state sovereign rights over the seabed, its subsoil and the water adjacent to the seabed within the 200 nautical mile limit.

Negotiations are taking place that could see the influence of coastal states extended beyond the 200 nautical miles of EEZs. Part VI of UNCLOS concerns a coastal state's continental shelf out to 350 n miles from the coastline. In 2007, Ireland became the first country to gain approval for the extension of its continental shelf, to the west of the island, and now has responsibility for an area of some 141,000 square nautical miles – an increase of 100 per cent.

Diving section

A Naval Service Diving Section truck.

The Naval Service has a specialist diving unit called the Naval Service Diving Section, which was established in the 1960s.[21] They have conducted combat diving training for Ranger candidates after selecting combat diving as a speciality.[22]

Among the tasks mandated to the NSDS include the following:[21]

Personnel and ranks

There are currently 1,058 personnel of all ranks in the Naval Service plus 180 in the Naval Service Reserve.[23] Non-Military training takes place alongside Mercantile Marine Personnel at the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy, near to the Haulbowline base.[24]

Irish Naval Service Commissioned Ranks
Equivalent NATO Code OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2 OF-1 OF(D)
Republic of Ireland
Ireland
Irish Ceannasóir Captaen Ceannasaí Leifteanant-Cheannasaí Leifteanant Fo-Leifteanant Meirgire Dalta
English Commodore Captain Commander Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant Sub Lieutenant Ensign Officer Cadet
Irish Naval Service Warrant Officers
Equivalent NATO Code OR-9
Republic of Ireland
Ireland
Executive
Administrative
Engineering
Communications
Irish Oifigeach Barántais
English Warrant Officer
Irish Naval Service Enlisted Ranks
Equivalent NATO Code OR-8 OR-7 OR-6 OR-5 OR-4 OR-3 OR-2 OR-1
Republic of Ireland
Ireland		 No Insignia
Irish Ard-Mhion-Oifigeach Sinsearach Ard-Mhion-Oifigeach Mion-Oifigeach Sinsearach Mion-Oifigeach Mairnéalach Ceannais Mairnéalach Ábalta Mairnéalach No equivalent
English Senior Chief Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer Senior Petty Officer Petty Officer Leading Seaman Able Seaman Ordinary Seaman Recruit

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "The Defence Forces". Irish Defence Forces. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  2. ↑ http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/takes/dail2014091800043?opendocument#WRC01550
  3. ↑ The Irish Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) – the standing branches – and the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF). The Naval Service is part of the PDF.
  4. ↑ "History of the Naval Service". Official Defence Forces website. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Roles of the Naval Service - Fisheries Monitoring Centre". Official Defence Forces website. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Military.ie - Naval Service - History". Official Defence Forces website. Retrieved 28 July 2014. (1999-2001) "Fishery Protection played an important role in the Service's day-to-day operations" (2002-present) ".. addition to the Naval Service's increasing fishery protection output ..
  7. ↑ "Press Release - Naming and Commissioning Ceremonies for new Naval Service Vessel LÉ Samuel Beckett". MerrionStreet.ie Irish Government News Service. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014. The [newsest fleet addition] will be used mainly for fishery protection patrols
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Roles of the Naval Service". Official Defence Forces website. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  9. ↑ Articles of Agreement between Great Britain and Ireland, 6 December 1921 (Irish Free State established pursuant thereto on 6 December 1922)
  10. ↑ "History of the Maritime Institute of Ireland – Page 2". Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  11. ↑ RTE documentary: "The Navy"
  12. ↑ "Ships – history", Irish Defence Forces website
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "Government to purchase third new Naval Service ship". Irish Times. 9 June 2014.
  14. ↑ Sean O'Riordan (2012-05-24). "Navy ships to carry deep sea robot subs". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  15. ↑ "Irish OPV build makes progress". ihs.com. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "New Naval Service vessels". inshore-ireland.com. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  17. ↑ St Patrick's Day (2 May 2006). "Navy chiefs set their sights on two new ships – National News". Independent.ie. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  18. ↑ Riegel, Ralph; Lavery, Don (11 September 2009). "Minister wants €104m to buy new boats for Navy". Irish Independent.
  19. ↑ "History; Naval Service". Irish Defence Forces. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  20. ↑ Don Lavery – 02 September 2006 (2006-09-02). "Defence Forces to turn 'tomb raiders'". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Naval Service Specialists – Diving Section". Irish Naval Service. 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  22. ↑ "Special Operations' Irish Army Rangers Combat Diving Page". Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  23. ↑ "Department of Defence and Defence Forces Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Department of Defence and Defence Forces. 2013. p. 21.
  24. ↑ "History of Nautical Training in Ireland". National Maritime College of Ireland. Retrieved 2014-04-24.

External links

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