Irish Naval Service Vessels Engage in Exercises

June 20, 2014

The Irish Naval Service vessels L.É SAMUEL BECKETT, L.É. ROISIN and L.É. AOIFE will be conducting exercises off the South Coast of Ireland, as part of a week long fleet assessment by the Naval Service.

Some of the tasks involved include a scenario-based Maritime Interdiction Operation which prepares armed Naval Teams for counter-narcotics and armed boarding’s at sea plus a casualty winching exercises with the Air Corps’ AW139 helicopter. In the last six years the Naval Service has intercepted €1.7 Billion worth of drugs in Irish waters. On fishery protection duties, the Naval Service has carried out 407 boardings and 4 detentions so far this year.

Inter-ship replenishment will also be exercised, for the transfer of personnel and provisions while naval ships are at sea. This alleviates the necessity for a ship to return to port while on operations.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, Commodore Hugh Tully stated that:

“As the State’s principal seagoing agency, it is essential that Naval Units can respond quickly and effectively to any operational requirement that they may be called upon to provide in our area of operation, the North Atlantic, and at short notice. The men and women in the Naval Service operate in some of the most hostile seas in the world throughout the year. Our Annual Fleet Exercises provides an opportunity for Naval Service Units to hone their skills and for senior command to assess their operational capability.”

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Press Release, June 20, 2014; Image: Wikimedia