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Displaying items by tag: Irish Lights

The General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) of the United Kingdom and Ireland – Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights have announced the requirement for an aviation service to support their vital safety service for mariners.

Known as the Tri-GLA Aviation Services Project (ASP), the contract to provide a dedicated aviation service is for a ten-year period from 1 December 2027, with the option to extend for up to a further two years.

An effective aviation service is a vital element of the GLAs’ service to the mariner. For many aids to navigation, due to their location and the nature of the work to be carried out, air travel is the only means of access. Not having an aviation service, even for a short period of time, has the potential to make a serious impact upon the critical statutory services delivered by the GLAs around the UK and Ireland.

Most flights involve carrying both passengers (GLA staff, subcontractors and approved third parties) and cargo to coastal and offshore lighthouses. This may require take off and landing from vessels at sea. Tasks will also include underslung loads that represent between 15% and 32% of the operational flying tasks per year, noting that such tasks will be separate from passenger transfers. Experience is therefore essential in Helicopter External Sling Load Operations (HESLO).

The GLAs are not seeking tenders at this time but will be carrying out Market Engagement to seek supplier views to help inform the procurement process. Any response to this Market Engagement by a supplier does not constitute a formal tender to the ASP procurement process, which the GLAs intend to commence in the Autumn of 2024.

Tri-GLA ASP Market Engagement Questionnaire*
Interested parties have the opportunity to complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire – see link below. The deadline for responding is by 21 March 2024.

Tri-GLA ASP Market Engagement Event – 5 April 2024 from 1000 to 1200 GMT
The GLAs invite interested parties to a virtual market engagement event where they will present an overview of the ASP Procurement and take questions. Details to follow.

Any questions on the procurement process should go through Delta eSourcing by clicking this link.

In addition click HERE and scroll down the page for 4 downloadable documents.

Published in Lighthouses

Irish Lights is recruiting a Navigation Support Officer to join the E-Navigation and Maritime Services (EMS) department. This position is based in our Head Office in Dun Laoghaire. 

The role involves providing support on the navigation to the department, including:

  • The preparation of Board and departmental reports,
  • Navigation assessments for Foreshore Licence, Aquaculture applications, Maritime Area Consent Applications and statutory sanctions
  • Supporting ship superintendence and survey requirements.

Applicants must hold a Level 8 Degree qualification, or equivalent maritime qualification and experience, STCW certification (Deck) and have a background in maritime and /or navigation.

The role will suit someone with maritime operations and project management experience who has a passion for our core mission of ensuring safety for all at sea.  The role is rewarding and challenging, requiring a flexible approach to work, including limited travel.

The starting point of the salary scale is €53,846, rising to €64,272.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack on Irish Lights website for full details of the position, the requirements and how to apply by 12 February 2024.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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Irish Lights is recruiting a skilled systems/electronic technician to join our Coastal Operations Team as a Systems Performance Lead. The successful candidate will work closely with the team in the management of our software systems to improve workflow, monitoring, reporting, fault analysis and rectification of critical defects and outages in the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Systems.

If you are interested in a secure role within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

  • Being the Systems “Super User” for Coastal Operations
  • Managing the Monitoring System
  • Acting as the first point of contact in undertaking fault analysis of critical defects and outages
  • Triaging responses to outages on all AtoN Systems
  • Liaising with other team members to ensure the management of critical spare parts stock
  • Tracking and scheduling planned replacement of equipment
  • Supporting the development of Systems documentation and specifications

The candidate must be an experienced systems, radio radar or electronic technician with a relevant professional qualification. Experience in Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) would be an advantage.

The starting point of the salary scale is €44,235 rising to €52,215. The point you will be placed on is commensurate to experience. Benefits that make up the attractive reward package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme, paid sick leave scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, Bike for Work, Taxsaver commuter schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen. Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for full details of this position, the requirements and how to apply by 7 January 2024.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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25th October 2023

Irish Lights are Hiring

Irish Lights are welcoming applications for the following roles:

Support Operative

Do you like a varied job where every day at work can be different? If yes, then join the team at Irish Lights as one of our Support Operatives in our Coastal Operations Department.

Based in Dun Laoghaire, as a Support Operative you will be responsible for the provision and maintenance of Irish Lights Aids to Navigation and other activities in the Buoy Yard.

Your duties would include:

  • Washing, grit blasting, painting and assembly of mechanical structures (buoys)
  • Undertaking basic welding of buoy bowls and daymarks
  • Undertaking basic electrical (12 volt dc) and mechanical assembly work
  • Operating mobile plant equipment e.g. fork lift, teleporter, crane
  • Undertaking Stores operations, such as, operating stores reach truck, issuing goods, stock checks
  • Driving a Van, as required, for both short and long distances
  • Assisting technicians with general operative work
  • Maintaining positive environmental standards and procedures
  • Adhering to risk, safety and environmental management

An attractive starting salary of €30,440 with a generous pension scheme will be available to the successful candidate. Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information about the role and how to apply by 19 November 2023.

Able Seafarer (Deck) 3 vacancies

This is a unique opportunity for individuals, with a marine background, to work with the statutory body who maintain the aids to navigation, including offshore lighthouses and buoys, all around the Irish coast.
As an Able Seafarer your duties will include shipboard maintenance, mooring operations, watch keeping and operating deck machinery. You will also work with cranes, winches, workboats and helicopter operations.

You will need a valid STCW II/5 Able Seafarer Deck Certificate of Competency and supporting STCW certificates as follows:

  • Personal Safety and Social Responsibility Certificate.
  • Basic Fire Fighting Certificate.
  • Personal Survival Techniques Certificate
  • Elementary First Aid Certificate.
  • Navigation Watch Ratings Certificate. (Deck)
  • Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats.
  • Security Awareness Certificate
  • Valid Seafarers Medical Certificate

Ideally, you will also have deckhand experience on specialised vessels such as Aids to Navigation or Offshore Anchor Handling.

When you join us, we will provide you with the additional training required to undertake this particular role, and you will be supported throughout your career to reach your full potential as a Mariner.

An attractive salary (€30,440 rising to €37,125, based on experience and service), time for time roster (4 weeks on/4 weeks off) and a generous pension scheme will be available to the successful candidates.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information about the role and how to apply by 26 November 2023.

Applications with CV and cover letter to be submitted to.

Gemma Gregan, HR Advisor
E: [email protected]

Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace

Published in Jobs
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Irish Lights operates and maintains a diverse and technology driven aids to navigation infrastructure for the maritime sector around the island of Ireland including lighthouses, beacons, buoys and electronic aids to navigation.

Irish Lights is recruiting a skilled electrician to join our Operations Team as a Lighthouse Technician (LT). The successful candidate will be responsible to the Lighthouse Team Lead for their role in the provision of maintenance and management of Irish Lights’ assets and other activities. The LT will operate as part of multi-disciplinary teams deployed, as required, on a coast wide basis, to our Dun Laoghaire facility, or at third party locations.

If you are interested in a secure job within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

  • Undertaking routine maintenance, fault find and resolve issues at lighthouse stations.
  • Reporting any defects or deficiencies with any asset using a computerised work management system.
  • Supporting the design phase of projects, as required, by providing feedback and specialist technical knowledge to the design team.
  • Working as part of multi-disciplinary team to undertake capital projects at Coastal Locations
  • Understanding Risk Assessments and following the required Control Measures for all coast work.
  • Partaking in pre-trip briefings and partake in or deliver toolbox talks on site
  • Keeping up to date on training, upskilling and personal development.

Due to the specialist skills required in this role, together with a knowledge of the Coast and the health and safety requirements, there will a detailed internal induction programme and extensive on-the-job learning and training provided by Irish Lights. In addition, formal training will also be provided, and this includes but is not limited to, Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) training, sea survival, working at heights and Helicopter Landing Officer training.

The candidate must be an experienced technician with a relevant electrical qualification and comfortable with a flexible approach to work, including working away from home.

The starting point of the salary scale is €€35,350, rising to €44,089. The point you will be placed on is commensurate with experience. Benefits that make up the attractive rewards package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme (27.9% employer contribution), paid sick leave scheme, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family-friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, bike for work, commuter taxsaver schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen.

Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information on this position and how to apply by midnight on 29 September 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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Irish Lights is recruiting for an experienced Technology and Information Security Officer (TISO).

Irish Lights operates and maintains a diverse and technology-driven aids to navigation infrastructure for the maritime sector around the island of Ireland, including lighthouses, beacons, buoys and electronic aids to navigation. 

Irish Lights continues to invest in and lead on the adoption of new technologies to deliver our core services.  Keeping our infrastructure, systems and data cyber secure is a key focus of this role.

The role is based in Dun Laoghaire and will include occasional travel to the coast or onboard our vessel, the Granuaile, and the successful candidate will report to the Business Solutions Manager.

If you are interested in a secure job within an innovative and unique organisation, then this role is for you.

Duties of the role will include:

  • Continuously improving solutions and systems, the supporting architecture, infrastructure and the related security environment ensuring security is a key enabler to deliver Irish Lights’ strategic objectives and business goals.
  • Determining security policy, having responsibility for compliance, audit and quality assurance ensuring defined standards are adhered to and overall responsibility for employee cyber security education and awareness training.
  • Validating change requirements based on advances in technology, proof of concepts, strategic goals and user requirements (internal/external) whilst considering the need to reduce organisation costs and deliver organisational efficiencies in a secure manner.

The candidate must hold an ICT qualification with at least five years of relevant experience.

The starting point of the salary scale is €53,050. The point you will be placed on is commensurate to experience. Benefits that make up the attractive rewards package include; a very generous defined benefit pension scheme (27.9% employer contribution), paid sick leave scheme, blended working, an Employee Assistance Programme, generous family-friendly policies, an Occupational Health Service, bike for work and commuter tax saver schemes, onsite parking and an onsite canteen.

Irish Lights also provides significant training and career development opportunities.

Please view the Candidate Briefing Pack for more information on this position and how to apply by midnight on 7 August 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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The Commissioners of Irish Lights (Irish Lights) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency, have collaborated to launch an online training course aimed at Local Lighthouse Authorities.

The course, delivered through BIM’s Learning Management System, consists of six modules and aims to enhance the safe and efficient operation of local aids to navigation services.

It covers topics such as the legal basis for providing marine aids to navigation, understanding the different types of aids to navigation, maintenance schedules and policies and procedures to cover outage reporting and availability requirements to international standards.

The training course is designed to empower and equip Local Lighthouse Authorities with the necessary knowledge to effectively manage local aids to navigation, ensuring the well-being of mariners and the protection of coastal environments.

Local Lighthouse Authorities are responsible for over 3,500 local aids to navigation around Ireland and Northern Ireland, which play a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety by assisting vessels in the identification of safe navigable waters and highlighting the locations of marine hazards for all marine users.

Published in BIM
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In delivering our services, Irish Lights relies on the capability of its dedicated buoy tender vessel, the ILV Granuaile. Now entering its third decade of service life, the current Granuaile has delivered excellent value for money and will continue to operate successfully in the short term. In parallel, Irish Lights has initiated a project, to plan and deliver a replacement vessel by 2029.

To support the effective project management and delivery of this project, Irish Lights is seeking to appoint a Senior Project Manager on a fixed-term contract for the Vessel Replacement Project.

Reporting to the Director of eNavigation and Maritime Services (Project Director), this senior role offers the opportunity to be at the heart of a large capital project, which is being delivered via the Public Sector Spending Code.

The role will be responsible for the day-to-day management, co-ordination and delivery of the Vessel Replacement Project within budget, timeline and scope. Under the general direction of the Project Director, duties of the role include:

  • Project Leadership
  • Defining, Developing and Embedded Project Management Standards
  • Planning and Monitoring
  • Reporting and Controls
  • RAID Management
  • Project Documentation
  • Quality Management

The successful candidate will have a background in capital project delivery, together with knowledge of relevant procurement processes. Previous maritime experience is desirable, although not essential.

The role will be both rewarding and challenging and will require a flexible approach to work, including some travel.

For more information on the role and requirements and how to apply, please view the Candidate Briefing Pack. The closing date for receipt of applications is 18 June 2023.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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Irish Lights is currently recruiting for an executive assistant to the chief executive.

Based in Dun Laoghaire, the successful candidate will work closely with the chief executive to optimise the management of their schedule and ensure the office activities are planned to support their priorities and those of the organisation.

This is a highly demanding role and will require five days working in the office, with occasional out-of-hours work.

Applicants must have experience of working in an executive assistant or similar role. Advanced MS Office skills, IT and secretarial skills are essential.

This is a varied role, which requires excellent administrative skills, stakeholder management and a high level of verbal and written communication skills.

For further details on the role and Irish Lights, see the Candidate Briefing Pack which also gives information on the salary and benefits.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 5 June 2023. Apply by sending a CV and cover letter to Gemma Gregan at [email protected]. The Irish Lights Job Applicant Privacy Notice is available here.

The Commissioners of Irish Lights is an equal opportunities employer and promotes diversity in the workplace.

Published in Jobs
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The Irish Government has ratified the Convention on the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation which will support safe and efficient navigation around our coasts. 

As shipping and offshore activity continues to grow, the new Convention will enable collaboration and development of consistent standards and practises at international level.

The Convention changes the status of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities or IALA from a Non-Governmental Organisation to an Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO). The status of IGO will give further weight to the standards and recommendations of IALA, leading to greater compliance and navigational safety.

Marking the ratification of the IALA Convention, Minister of State Chambers said: “The transport of critical resources by sea enables the majority of our international trade. The last few years have illustrated Ireland’s reliance on marine supply chains with over 90% of goods by volume transported into our ports. New opportunities in offshore wind will bring huge benefits and must be planned and managed carefully in conjunction with fisheries, leisure and marine protected areas.

Yvonne Shields O’Connor, Irish Lights Chief Executive and Minister of State Jack Chambers TDYvonne Shields O’Connor, Irish Lights Chief Executive and Minister of State Jack Chambers TD

The offshore environment will be busier while physical and electronic aids to navigation will continue to support the protection of lives, trade, property and the environment around our coast. Ireland’s membership of IALA, along with the work of my Department at the International Maritime Organisation, will ensure that Ireland contributes proactively at international level to the safe and sustainable development of our shipping and maritime sector.”

Irish Lights Chief Executive, Yvonne Shields O’Connor said, “We welcome the Irish Government’s support for the ratification of the IALA convention. Increased digitalisation, connectivity, cyber security, expansion of offshore infrastructure, developments such as autonomous vessels and changes in trade patterns and climate are just some of the key issues being addressed at IALA.

As the organisation responsible for delivering essential navigation safety services around the coast of Ireland, Irish Lights understands the importance of global cooperation and coordination in harmonising marine navigation and related services. Ireland though Irish Lights has been a member of IALA since its establishment in 1957 and we look forward to continuing to play our part in this important work.”

Published in Lighthouses
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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.