The usage of a newly acquired naval vessel from New Zealand by the Naval Service is being delayed until more sailors can be procured. The LÉ Aoibhinn and the LÉ Gobnait, pre-owned vessels bought from the New Zealand Government in 2022, have undergone a major refurbishment. The initial sea trial of the Aoibhinn took place off the coast of Co Cork on Monday as part of its “initial operating capability” process.
This process, as stated by the Naval Service (soon to be rebranded as the Irish Navy), will enable the crew to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to manage a fresh assortment of ship within the Irish fleet. The new 55-metre, 340-tonne vessels are much smaller compared to the existing Irish naval ships, more than half of which are immobilised due to staff shortages. The new ships will carry a crew of 20 and their core operation area will be the Irish Sea. Unlike their larger counterparts, they will not be equipped with a main gun.
New Zealand Naval Reserve personnel are in Ireland to help the Irish crew get acclimated to these ships. After the completion of the “initial operating capability” process, the Aoibhinn will undergo a “full operational capability” evaluation to ensure it can perform all military duties required to commence Maritime Defence and Security Operations, as per a Naval Service spokesperson. This procedure is set to conclude later this year.
However, the timeline for initiating the Gobnait’s deployment process is not as definitive. It will occur only after the Aoibhinn has completed its full operational capability process. The Naval Service stated that deployment is reliant on consistent rise in recruitment and stabilisation in the number of personnel serving.
Currently, the naval service has a strength of 722, considerably below its required strength of 1,094. During the previous year, while 68 personnel were recruited, 95 decided to leave. On a positive note, Jacqui McCrum, the secretary-general of the Department of Defence, acknowledged at an Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee meeting on Thursday that recruitment efforts, such as salary and allowance increase, have started to bear fruit.
During the initial quarter of the year, the hiring of 31 members of staff alongside the departure of 14 was reported. Nevertheless, the committee was informed that due to employee-related difficulties, the Maritime Division is currently only able to assign a quarter of its fleet to patrols, retaining one for emergency needs. Ms McCrum acknowledged to Brian Stanley of Sinn Féin that there have been instances where only a single ship could be deployed, a situation causing strong concern for the Department and the Defence Forces. Independence Party Representative, Verona Murphy, voiced her criticism that Ireland’s image is being tarnished due to the dwindling numbers in the Defence Forces, citing rampant attrition of personnel. In a bid to amplify recruitment, the Maritime Division will anchor LÉ William Butler Yeats at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin for the weekend, granting public access and offering naval officers to discuss career and education prospects within the Maritime Division.