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Displaying items by tag: DBSC

The next stage in the Dublin Bay 21 restoration project is getting out on the water and racing the Naneen, Garavogue, Estelle and Geraldine in their original sailing condition.

And that’s exactly what will be happening later this month with the launch of the 2023 DB21 season, racing on Tuesdays and Saturdays from the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire with the DBSC fleet.

Experienced sailors, competent crew and even novices are all welcome to take part, with a complement of three to five per each of the four boats that have been restored to their 1902 glory.

For the modest sum of €500, you can subscribe to a 2023 season ticket which will allow access to the 40 DBSC races, and every effort will be given to fairly meeting subscriber preferences.

All subscriptions go solely towards annual maintenance of the fleet, with all capital costs met by the Dublin Bay 21 Footer Class Association.

For more details on the season, see the Eventbrite page HERE.

Published in Dublin Bay 21
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The ILCA/Laser class has responded in 'massive' numbers to the Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) call for early entries to their summer race series.

At the last count, a staggering 48 entries were listed from clubs across the Dun Laoghaire waterfront. The ILCAs 4, 6 and 7 rigs will race, thanks to DBSC, on a Tuesday evening in Scotsman’s Bay and on ten selected Saturday afternoons.

The ILCAs now represent the largest class entry and are looking forward to some very tight racing throughout what will be a fleet with huge depth.

Many sailors will be looking forward to the warmer weather and conditions outside the harbour, having completed the DMYC Viking Marine Frostbite series.

In a new initiative, the Dun Laoghaire ILCA class has formed a group to support sailors taking to DBSC racing for the first time this summer or having very little racing experience.

This will kick off with a session in the Royal St George YC on April 18th covering starting sequences, courses, planning your race, basic rules and what to expect in Scotsman’s Bay. Sailors will be supported during the season with ongoing advice and help. Sign ups are rolling in; please email [email protected] for more information and signup.

The first DBSC Tuesday is April 25th, and to celebrate the whopping entry, sailors are invited to the bar of the RSTGYC after sailing for a warm welcome, spot prizes and sailing supper.

Published in Laser
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Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) have 17 plus entries for their new Tuesday women on the water series and is now looking to expand this to include two more classes.

As regular Afloat readers know, the country's biggest yacht racing club recently announced the new initiative to increase female participation in sailing.

Should there be interest, the plan would be to open the series to the Third start, including the Shipman, Cruiser 3 and Dragon classes.

DBSC Commodore Ed Totterdell said the club was delighted with the response to date and reminded members who sail in the Sportsboat, SB20, FF15, B211 & Ruffian classes who have joined for the season but not opted into the series they can still do so by emailing [email protected].

“It is great to see the enthusiasm from our members, and I think Tuesdays will become a hotly contested WOW series with plenty of fun in the clubs afterwards”, commented Totterdell.

Published in DBSC
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The 1720 sportsboat crew of Optique, skippered by Colin Byrne of the Royal Irish Yacht Club, were the overall winners of the 2023 AIB DBSC Spring Chicken Series at the National Yacht Club today.

A final light race decider on Dublin Bay saw Byrne come from ninth overall to win overall by a single point under modified ECHO.

As Afloat reported previously, in a competitive climax to the series, the top 14 boats in the 37-boat mixed cruiser-racer fleet were separated by just ten points.

Just Jasmin, Phil Smyth's Bavaria Match 35, was second on 57 points with race two winner, the First 31.7  Avalon third on 59.

Final race and overall results are downloadable below.

Published in DBSC
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A 37-boat fleet will fight for the AIB Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken Series title on Sunday morning, with the J80 Derry Girls leading into the last race.

As Afloat reported previously, in a competitive climax to the series, the top 14 boats in the 37-boat mixed cruiser-racer fleet are separated by just ten points.

DBSC Race organiser Fintan Cairns has released handicaps and start times for the final race, which are downloadable below.

The J80 Derry Girls leads on 46 points from the J109 Dear Prudence on 47.00 with three boats tied for third place; the J122 Aurelia, the J97 Windjammer and the Sunfast 3600, Hot Cookie.

The six-race series was held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 12 March (first gun 1010 hrs), using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

Download Handicaps and starts for the final race below

The final race of the six-race series takes place on Sunday off Dun Laoghaire Harbour at 10.10 am

The prizegiving will be held in the dining room of the National Yacht Club immediately after sailing.

Prizes will be made to overall and weekly winners.

Published in DBSC

In a competitive climax to Dublin Bay Sailing Club's Spring Chicken Series this Sunday, the top 14 boats in the 37-boat mixed cruiser-racer fleet are separated by just ten points.

The final race of the six-race series takes place on Sunday off Dun Laoghaire Harbour at 10.10 am

The J80 Derry Girls leads on 46 points from the J109 Dear Prudence on 47.00 with three boats tied for third place; the J122 Aurelia, the J97 Windjammer and the Sunfast 3600, Hot Cookie.

Six races are being held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 12 March using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

DBSC Race organiser Fintan Cairns has released results for the fifth race and overall, and these are downloadable below.

The J/80 keelboat Ram Ram was racing in the DBSC's Spring Chicken Series and videod by fellow competitor Pat Rigney

 The prizegiving will be held next Sunday after racing at the National Yacht Club.

Published in DBSC
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Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) Committee Vessel, MacLir, is for sale. 

The Blyth 33 Catamaran is identified with Dublin Bay's regular yacht racing scene and is regularly on duty at the capital's big sailing events, including the biennial Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. 

The boat is on the market for €25,000 through broker Leinster Boats

The semi-displacement hull is fitted with twin Ford Mermaid diesel engines. The boat has a large aft deck, and a pilot house with railed observation platform over the coachroof.

The aft deck has wheelchair access by side gates. Large sliding glass screen door aft of pilot house.

The multiuse Blyth 33 Catamaran Mac Lir working as a DBSC Flagship for yacht races on Dublin Bay Photo: AfloatThe multiuse Blyth 33 Catamaran Mac Lir working as a DBSC Flagship for yacht races on Dublin Bay Photo: Afloat

According to broker Ronan Beirne, the cat has the potential for pot fishing or as a tourist-related "dolphin watch" vessel.

The vessel is not coded.

See the full advert for MacLir on Afloat boats for sale here

Published in DBSC
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With a light wind forecast for the penultimate race of the AIB-sponsored DBSC Spring Chicken Series, the 38-boat cruiser-racer fleet heads into its fifth race on Dublin Bay this Sunday (5th March).

As Afloat reported earlier, J boats have a firm grip on the podium at the National Yacht Club after one discard has been applied.

Handicaps and starts for Sunday's race are downloadable below.

Chris Power Smith's Royal St. George J122, Aurelia is the new overall leader. The ISORA offshore racer leads the 37-boat fleet by three points overall from John Maybury's J109 Joker II from the Royal Irish Yacht Club on 21 points. 

The J109 Dear Prudence lies third on 26 points. 

AIB-sponsored DBSC Spring Chicken Series has attracted a buoyant fleet of 38 cruiser racers for the six-race series Photo: Finnie KennedyAIB-sponsored DBSC Spring Chicken Series has attracted a buoyant fleet of 38 cruiser racers for the six-race series Photo: Finnie Kennedy

Six races are being held on Sunday mornings from 5 February to 12 March (first gun 1010 hrs), using a progressive handicap on a time-to-time basis.

Download Handicaps and starts for the fifth race below

Published in DBSC

Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC), Ireland's largest yacht racing club at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, want to promote younger keelboat sailing teams, so much so that they are giving a discount of 25% on the normal entry fee!

Teams consisting entirely of sailors who are 30 or under on the 1st of April 2023 can enter and will receive a 25% discount on normal fees.

DBSC provides weekly racing for upwards of 360 yachts, ranging from ocean-going forty-footers to small dinghies for juniors and has over 20 participating classes for year-round racing on Dublin Bay.

All DBSC Green Fleet, Blue Fleet and Red Fleet entries are included in this initiative. 

Commodore Ed Totterdell feels that this will appeal particularly to classes like the SB20s and Sportsboat class but also knows of some interest in other keelboat classes.

DBSC Commodore Ed Totterdell has launched a special Under 30s discount for Dublin Bay racingDBSC Commodore Ed Totterdell has launched a special Under 30s discount for Dublin Bay racing this summer Photo: Michael Chester

DBSC has also formed a special subcommittee of younger sailors to look at ways to make this season exciting and fun for members aged 30 and under. They are planning some great events for the 2023 season.

"It would be great to see a big turnout of young keelboat sailors, so get your team together and enjoy the craic and competition for 2023", Totterdell said.

Published in DBSC
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To kick start the 2023 AIB Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) Racing Season, UK Sailmakers, in conjunction with the Offshore Racing Academy and INSS, are organising a Pre-Season Race Training day on Saturday, 22nd April.

All keelboats are welcome, and they will pick up tips, tricks, and advice to get the most from their sails in 2023.

The morning starts with a briefing followed by on-the-water training to include:

Windward Leeward course simulations with between three and five starts (depending on numbers)

UK Sailmakers and Irish Offshore Academy crew will be on the water, observing and videoing boats at:

  • start line
  • beating to the weather mark
  • mark rounding
  • spinnaker

The afternoon continues with a debrief, discussion, and video footage on mark rounding, start line tactics, and sail trim. The team will look at improving performance based on what they saw on the water.

"DBSC welcomes this great initiative to get boats in the 2023 AIB DBSC sailing season off to a great start", the club's Hon Sec Rosemary Roy told Afloat

Published in DBSC
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About the Irish Navy

The Navy maintains a constant presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year throughout Ireland’s enormous and rich maritime jurisdiction, upholding Ireland’s sovereign rights. The Naval Service is tasked with a variety of roles including defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets, countering port blockades; people or arms smuggling, illegal drugs interdiction, and providing the primary diving team in the State.

The Service supports Army operations in the littoral and by sealift, has undertaken supply and reconnaissance missions to overseas peace support operations and participates in foreign visits all over the world in support of Irish Trade and Diplomacy.  The eight ships of the Naval Service are flexible and adaptable State assets. Although relatively small when compared to their international counterparts and the environment within which they operate, their patrol outputs have outperformed international norms.

The Irish Naval Service Fleet

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency. The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps.

The fleet comprises one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with state of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

LÉ EITHNE P31

LE Eithne was built in Verlome Dockyard in Cork and was commissioned into service in 1984. She patrols the Irish EEZ and over the years she has completed numerous foreign deployments.

Type Helicopter Patrol Vessel
Length 80.0m
Beam 12m
Draught 4.3m
Main Engines 2 X Ruston 12RKC Diesels6, 800 HP2 Shafts
Speed 18 knots
Range 7000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 55 (6 Officers)
Commissioned 7 December 1984

LÉ ORLA P41

L.É. Orla was formerly the HMS SWIFT a British Royal Navy patrol vessel stationed in the waters of Hong Kong. She was purchased by the Irish State in 1988. She scored a notable operational success in 1993 when she conducted the biggest drug seizure in the history of the state at the time, with her interception and boarding at sea of the 65ft ketch, Brime.

Type Coastal Patrol Vessel
Length 62.6m
Beam 10m
Draught 2.7m
Main Engines 2 X Crossley SEMT- Pielstick Diesels 14,400 HP 2 Shafts
Speed 25 + Knots
Range 2500 Nautical Miles @ 17 knots
Crew 39 (5 Officers)

LÉ CIARA P42

L.É. Ciara was formerly the HMS SWALLOW a British Royal Navy patrol vessel stationed in the waters of Hong Kong. She was purchased by the Irish State in 1988. She scored a notable operational success in Nov 1999 when she conducted the second biggest drug seizure in the history of the state at that time, with her interception and boarding at sea of MV POSIDONIA of the south-west coast of Ireland.

Type Coastal Patrol Vessel
Length 62.6m
Beam 10m
Draught 2.7m
Main Engines 2 X Crossley SEMT- Pielstick Diesels 14,400 HP 2 Shafts
Speed 25 + Knots
Range 2500 Nautical Miles @ 17 knots
Crew 39 (5 Officers)

LÉ ROISIN P51

L.É. Roisin (the first of the Roisín class of vessel) was built in Appledore Shipyards in the UK for the Naval Service in 2001. She was built to a design that optimises her patrol performance in Irish waters (which are some of the roughest in the world), all year round. For that reason a greater length overall (78.8m) was chosen, giving her a long sleek appearance and allowing the opportunity to improve the conditions on board for her crew.

Type Long Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 78.84m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 X Twin 16 cly V26 Wartsila 26 medium speed Diesels
5000 KW at 1,000 RPM 2 Shafts
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)
Commissioned 18 September 2001

LÉ NIAMH P52

L.É. Niamh (the second of the Róisín class) was built in Appledore Shipyard in the UK for the Naval Service in 2001. She is an improved version of her sister ship, L.É.Roisin

Type Long Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 78.84m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 X Twin 16 cly V26 Wartsila 26 medium speed Diesels
5000 KW at 1,000 RPM 2 Shafts
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)
Commissioned 18 September 2001

LÉ SAMUEL BECKETT P61

LÉ Samuel Beckett is an Offshore Patrol Vessel built and fitted out to the highest international standards in terms of safety, equipment fit, technological innovation and crew comfort. She is also designed to cope with the rigours of the North-East Atlantic.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 90.0m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 x Wärtsilä diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)

LÉ JAMES JOYCE P62

LÉ James Joyce is an Offshore Patrol Vessel and represents an updated and lengthened version of the original RÓISÍN Class OPVs which were also designed and built to the Irish Navy specifications by Babcock Marine Appledore and she is truly a state of the art ship. She was commissioned into the naval fleet in September 2015. Since then she has been constantly engaged in Maritime Security and Defence patrolling of the Irish coast. She has also deployed to the Defence Forces mission in the Mediterranean from July to end of September 2016, rescuing 2491 persons and recovering the bodies of 21 deceased

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 90.0m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 x Wärtsilä diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)

LÉ WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS P63

L.É. William Butler Yeats was commissioned into the naval fleet in October 2016. Since then she has been constantly engaged in Maritime Security and Defence patrolling of the Irish coast. She has also deployed to the Defence Forces mission in the Mediterranean from July to October 2017, rescuing 704 persons and recovering the bodies of three deceased.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 90.0m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 x Wärtsilä diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)

LÉ GEORGE BERNARD SHAW P64

LÉ George Bernard Shaw (pennant number P64) is the fourth and final ship of the P60 class vessels built for the Naval Service in Babcock Marine Appledore, Devon. The ship was accepted into State service in October 2018, and, following a military fit-out, commenced Maritime Defence and Security Operations at sea.

Type Offshore Patrol Vessel
Length 90.0m
Beam 14m
Draught 3.8m
Main Engines 2 x Wärtsilä diesel engines and Power Take In, 2 x shafts, 10000kw
Speed 23 knots
Range 6000 Nautical Miles @ 15 knots
Crew 44 (6 Officers)

Ship information courtesy of the Defence Forces

Irish Navy FAQs

The Naval Service is the Irish State's principal seagoing agency with "a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements". It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

The Naval Service is based in Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour, with headquarters in the Defence Forces headquarters in Dublin.

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the Irish State's defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. It "protects Ireland's interests at and from the sea, including lines of communication, fisheries and offshore resources" within the Irish exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps as part of the Irish defence forces.

The Naval Service was established in 1946, replacing the Marine and Coastwatching Service set up in 1939. It had replaced the Coastal and Marine Service, the State's first marine service after independence, which was disbanded after a year. Its only ship was the Muirchú, formerly the British armed steam yacht Helga, which had been used by the Royal Navy to shell Dublin during the 1916 Rising. In 1938, Britain handed over the three "treaty" ports of Cork harbour, Bere haven and Lough Swilly.

The Naval Service has nine ships - one Helicopter Patrol Vessel (HPV), three Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), two Large Patrol Vessel (LPV) and two Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV). Each vessel is equipped with State of the art machinery, weapons, communications and navigation systems.

The ships' names are prefaced with the title of Irish ship or "long Éireannach" (LE). The older ships bear Irish female names - LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, LÉ Ciara, LÉ Roisín, and LÉ Niamh. The newer ships, named after male Irish literary figures, are LÉ Samuel Beckett, LÉ James Joyce, LÉ William Butler Yeats and LÉ George Bernard Shaw.

Yes. The 76mm Oto Melara medium calibre naval armament is the most powerful weapon in the Naval Services arsenal. The 76mm is "capable of engaging naval targets at a range of up to 17km with a high level of precision, ensuring that the Naval Service can maintain a range advantage over all close-range naval armaments and man-portable weapon systems", according to the Defence Forces.

The Fleet Operational Readiness Standards and Training (FORST) unit is responsible for the coordination of the fleet needs. Ships are maintained at the Mechanical Engineering and Naval Dockyard Unit at Ringaskiddy, Cork harbour.

The helicopters are designated as airborne from initial notification in 15 minutes during daylight hours, and 45 minutes at night. The aircraft respond to emergencies at sea, on inland waterways, offshore islands and mountains and cover the 32 counties. They can also assist in flooding, major inland emergencies, intra-hospital transfers, pollution, and can transport offshore firefighters and ambulance teams. The Irish Coast Guard volunteers units are expected to achieve a 90 per cent response time of departing from the station house in ten minutes from notification during daylight and 20 minutes at night. They are also expected to achieve a 90 per cent response time to the scene of the incident in less than 60 minutes from notification by day and 75 minutes at night, subject to geographical limitations.

The Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (FOCNS) is Commodore Michael Malone. The head of the Defence Forces is a former Naval Service flag officer, now Vice-Admiral Mark Mellett – appointed in 2015 and the first Naval Service flag officer to hold this senior position. The Flag Officer oversees Naval Operations Command, which is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Naval Operations Command is split into different sections, including Operations HQ and Intelligence and Fishery Section.

The Intelligence and Fishery Section is responsible for Naval Intelligence, the Specialist Navigation centre, the Fishery Protection supervisory and information centre, and the Naval Computer Centre. The Naval Intelligence Cell is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of naval intelligence. The Navigation Cell is the naval centre for navigational expertise.

The Fishery Monitoring Centre provides for fishery data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination to the Naval Service and client agencies, including the State's Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The centre also supervises fishery efforts in the Irish EEZ and provides data for the enhanced effectiveness of fishery protection operations, as part of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Naval Computer Centre provides information technology (IT) support service to the Naval Service ashore and afloat.

This headquarters includes specific responsibility for the Executive/Operations Branch duties. The Naval Service Operations Room is a coordination centre for all NS current Operations. The Naval Service Reserve Staff Officer is responsible for the supervision, regulation and training of the reserve. The Diving section is responsible for all aspects of Naval diving and the provision of a diving service to the Naval Service and client agencies. The Ops Security Section is responsible for the coordination of base security and the coordination of all shore-based security parties operating away from the Naval base. The Naval Base Comcen is responsible for the running of a communications service. Boat transport is under the control of Harbour Master Naval Base, who is responsible for the supervision of berthage at the Naval Base and the provision of a boat service, including the civilian manned ferry service from Haulbowline.

Naval Service ships have undertaken trade and supply missions abroad, and personnel have served as peacekeepers with the United Nations. In 2015, Naval Service ships were sent on rotation to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean as part of a bi-lateral arrangement with Italy, known as Operation Pontus. Naval Service and Army medical staff rescued some 18,000 migrants, either pulling people from the sea or taking them off small boats, which were often close to capsizing having been towed into open water and abandoned by smugglers. Irish ships then became deployed as part of EU operations in the Mediterranean, but this ended in March 2019 amid rising anti-immigrant sentiment in the EU.

Essentially, you have to be Irish, young (less than 32), in good physical and mental health and with normal vision. You must be above 5'2″, and your weight should be in keeping with your age.

Yes, women have been recruited since 1995. One of the first two female cadets, Roberta O'Brien from the Glen of Aherlow in Co Tipperary, became its first female commander in September 2020. Sub Lieutenant Tahlia Britton from Donegal also became the first female diver in the navy's history in the summer of 2020.

A naval cadet enlists for a cadetship to become an officer in the Defence Forces. After successfully completing training at the Naval Service College, a cadet is commissioned into the officer ranks of the Naval Service as a Ensign or Sub Lieutenant.

A cadet trains for approximately two years duration divided into different stages. The first year is spent in military training at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork. The second-year follows a course set by the National Maritime College of Ireland course. At the end of the second year and on completion of exams, and a sea term, the cadets will be qualified for the award of a commission in the Permanent Defence Force as Ensign.

The Defence Forces say it is looking for people who have "the ability to plan, prioritise and organise", to "carefully analyse problems, in order to generate appropriate solutions, who have "clear, concise and effective communication skills", and the ability to "motivate others and work with a team". More information is on the 2020 Qualifications Information Leaflet.

When you are 18 years of age or over and under 26 years of age on the date mentioned in the notice for the current competition, the officer cadet competition is held annually and is the only way for potential candidates to join the Defence Forces to become a Naval Service officer. Candidates undergo psychometric and fitness testing, an interview and a medical exam.
The NMCI was built beside the Naval Service base at Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, and was the first third-level college in Ireland to be built under the Government's Public-Private Partnership scheme. The public partners are the Naval Service and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the private partner is Focus Education.
A Naval Service recruit enlists for general service in the "Other Ranks" of the Defence Forces. After successfully completing the initial recruit training course, a recruit passes out as an Ordinary Seaman and will then go onto their branch training course before becoming qualified as an Able Body sailor in the Naval Service.
No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. You need to satisfy the interview board and the recruiting officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.
Recruit training is 18 weeks in duration and is designed to "develop a physically fit, disciplined and motivated person using basic military and naval skills" to "prepare them for further training in the service. Recruits are instilled with the Naval Service ethos and the values of "courage, respect, integrity and loyalty".
On the progression up through the various ranks, an Able Rate will have to complete a number of career courses to provide them with training to develop their skills in a number of areas, such as leadership and management, administration and naval/military skills. The first of these courses is the Naval Service Potential NCO course, followed by the Naval Service Standard NCO course and the Naval Service senior NCO course. This course qualifies successful candidates of Petty officer (or Senior Petty Officer) rank to fill the rank of Chief Petty Officer upwards. The successful candidate may also complete and graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, Management and Naval Studies in partnership with Cork Institute of Technology.
Pay has long been an issue for just the Naval Service, at just over 1,000 personnel. Cadets and recruits are required to join the single public service pension scheme, which is a defined benefit scheme, based on career-average earnings. For current rates of pay, see the Department of Defence website.