Displaying items by tag: Army Ranger Wing

31st July 2021

Irish Special Forces Unit Conduct Ferry 'Hijack' Assault in Approaches to Dublin Bay

An elite Irish military unit conducted a counter terrorism exercise involving a staged hijacking of a (Stena Line) ferry when bound for Dublin Port. AFLOAT adds the exercise took place in the approaches of Dublin Bay and during a routine morning crossing of the E-Flexer class ro-pax Stena Estrid from Holyhead. Also above on the left is Howth Peninsula while on the right a ro-ro freightferry from operator Seatruck is also bound for the capital.

An elite special forces unit has carried out a counter terrorism exercise involving a staged hijacking of a ferry when bound for Dublin Port.

The Defence Forces special forces unit, the Army Ranger Wing, led the operation, assisted by the Air Corps and the Naval Service.

The live exercise involved the ARW boarding the Stena Line ferry by sea and by air and re-taking control of the vessel.

Last October, the British naval special forces unit boarded a hijacked tanker off the Isle of Wight and arrested seven people.

In a statement, the Defence Forces said that on Thursday morning “Óglaigh na hÉireann conducted a complex exercise in the vicinity of Dublin Port”.

More from the Irish Examiner which also highlighted the role of LÉ James Joyce during the exercise.

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Irish Sea Ferry Engaged in Maritime Counter Terrorism Exercise

The Naval Service, the Air Corps and Army Ranger Wing (ARW) an elite specialist force, completed a maritime counter terrorism exercise on board an Irish Sea ferry at the weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore.

For the purposes of the exercise Stena Line's Dublin-Holyhead ferry Stena Adventurer was used in a scenario involving terrorist activity of a large ship entering Dublin Port, culminating in an armed intervention.

The operation was spearheaded by the ARW with the support of a Naval Service coastal patrol vessel (CPV) and also Air Corps helicopters. High-speed tactical assault craft with ARW teams on board conducted manoeuvres while air-borne teams fast-roped from helicopters onto the deck of the Stena Adventurer. To see photos of the ARW team in action click HERE.

The exercise was designed to enhance the capacity of the Defence Forces to provide the State with a highly specialised maritime armed intervention capability.

Last month the Naval Service conducted close quarter manoeuvres in 'Operation Quixote' off the south-west coast. The exercise involved the entire naval fleet except for the flagship LE Eithne, which performed in gunnery practice, simulated air attacks from the Air Corps and armed naval boarding parties.

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.