New motor launch for Irish inshore patrols
1st January 2025
Ireland’s naval service Reserve has taken delivery of the first of four new motor launches for inshore patrols.
Named the Fionnghuala, it will be used for a range of taskings relating to coastal patrols, including inshore fisheries, as well as port security and training.
The vessel was built at FM Marine Services’s Valentia Island facility in Co Kerry, which is now working on the three others in the new fleet.
It is the first vessel built in Ireland for the Naval Service since 1984, when the former flagship LE Eithne was built at Verolme dockyard in Cork.
The motor launch has twin gun mounts, and customised mast-to-house specialist communications equipment and instrumentation. It is fitted with an A-frame gantry to support dive operations and survey work, and a loading crane for cargo handling.
Where possible, Irish suppliers were used during the build and fit-out. The Naval Service Reserve, a part-time force involving recruits from all walks of life both in marine and onshore professions, has a current establishment force of 200.
However, there are just over 100 active recruits, who will train with the new fleet. They operate from four bases in Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Limerick, where the motor launches will be stationed.
There are plans to expand the part-time force to a minimum of 400 as part of Ireland’s Commission on Defence Forces report of 2022. The commission also recommended an additional two bases.
The Naval Service Reserve recruits are assigned to do ship time with the Naval Service, but also had their own small launches, which were decommissioned over three years ago.
It is understood that the new fleet may be made available for use by other agencies, once the vessels are commissioned and protocols are agreed.
The Naval Service is still suffering from staff shortages, which have reduced the number of ships available for fishery patrols within Ireland’s EEZ.
