With only one Ship available due to lack of sea going trained personal at present operational away from base, the priority is it and it’s crew is available for Military Security and a Paddy’s Day Parade ashore near the Capital but not for a major Drugs interdiction operation at sea.
The crew will be taking part in the St Patrick’s Day Parade ashore in Dún Laoghaire on Sunday at 11am, the 90m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) will be docked at Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire Harbour, with tours by the crew available from 12-3pm on Saturday and 1.30-4pm on Sunday. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the ship, learn about its capabilities, and gain insight into its role in defending Ireland's interests at sea. Tours are free of charge, no booking required and last approximately 20 minutes.
Meanwhile - other Irish and International agencies believe they have dismantled an international drug smuggling logistics operation, arrests of suspects who have been attempting to land up to €1bn worth of cocaine on the Irish West Cork coast were made on Land, but at Sea no presence.
Priority for Parades can have a downside, other examples of this is the Russian Navy with some of it’s prized Black Sea Fleet now at the bottom or the Egyptian Army famous for preparing for parades while the Israelis prepared for war and the results, the 6 day Arab Israeli war.
But dressing up, playing the game, is politically & career wise smart, what seems to be forgotten is the primary Defence role, which is to defend the State, the State and others expect it.
Fair play to the sole Ships crew on sailing orders doing their duty and no doubt doing it well.
The Irish Department of Defence has issued a statement, “drug interdiction was just one of the many duties of the Naval Service, which range from fishery protection and search and rescue to maritime defence and security operations” and “overall responsibility” for the prevention of drug trafficking rests primarily with the Revenue Customs Services and An Garda Síochána, rather than the Defence Forces, fair enough statement.
This fiasco of only one seagoing crew available for the six Ships in service, with another two recently bought and a ninth one gone out to tender, was knowingly allowed to happen over decades by inaction on the relevant personnel issues.
The Department of Defence has issued a pre-solicitation for the procurement of the ninth vessel.
Around €300 Million for a Multi Purpose Support Ship which maybe a variant of a roll on roll off Ferry or Frigate.
This hardly inspires confidence with the continued lack of trained seagoing personal that is required for the country's military maritime force, nor have the personnel issues of pay, conditions and career paths really been addressed, it is quicker to build a Ship than to train a Sailor even longer for others.
