The first-of-class LÈ Samuel Becket was named by Mrs Caroline
Murphy, a niece of Samuel Beckett, in Dublin this weekend alongside
the Samuel Beckett Bridge. The naming was followed by the commissioning
ceremony which was led by Mr Enda Kenny TD, Irish Prime Minister (An
Taoiseach) and Minister for Defence, who made the main speech. |
LÈ
Samuel Becket will be operational with immediate effect undertaking
a range of duties including fishery protection, search and rescue, anti-pollution
and maritime security duties, including vessel boardings. To conduct
these operations a crew of 44, plus ten trainee berths, are accommodated
to high comfort and habitability standards.
The approx 90 metre, 2256 tonne OPV has autonomous engine rooms and
is capable of a top speed of 23 knots, and a range of 6,000 nautical
miles at its cruise speed of 15 knots on a single engine. The propulsion
system utilises a diesel electric drive system providing a loiter function
of up to 6 knots. A comprehensive command, control and communications
package is coupled to the main weapon; a 76mm gun, as well as two 20mm
cannons and four general purpose machine guns. The vessel is also equipped
with configurable, serviced mission modules, with deck space to operate
mission specific equipment, and to act as a mother ship for two fully
independent fast pursuit Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RIBs). It is
designed to provide an operational capability for many years of service
in the North Atlantic, its main area of operation.
Commenting on the completion and handover Babcock Shipbuilding Director,
Andrew Hamilton, said: “We are delighted and proud to have successfully
built, trialled and delivered this first of class OPV to the Irish Naval
Service. The success of this project has been brought about by the close
co-operation of our customer, suppliers and industry. LÈ Samuel
Beckett demonstrates that a commercial build coupled with commercial
off the shelf equipment can give a high level of capability within the
budgeted cost.”
LÈ Samuel Becket is the first of two such OPVs being built by
Babcock for the Irish Naval Service at Appledore (where Ireland’s
current OPVs LÈ Roisin and Niamh were also built in the late
1990s - early 2000s). Keel laying for the second OPV took place in November
last year, with float-up scheduled for early November 2014 and sea trials
and delivery taking place in early 2015. |
