A French Navy vessel is making its second visit to an Irish port within weeks as a 'Loire' class specialist support ship has arrived into Dublin Port this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As Afloat reported last month the Garonne (A605) the fouth and final unit of a quartet of the 'Loire' class which called to Cork City Quays.

The class also known as metropolitan offshore support and assistance vessel (bâtiments de soutien et d’assistance métropolitains) or BSAM.

On this current call, Garonne is berthed at the North Wall Quay Extension, next to the Tom Clarke (East-Link) Toll-lift Bridge. 

Among the roles Garonne is to support diving operations, deal with pollution in the aftermath of a spillage at sea. In addition to assisting submarines and surface ships, including salvage operations.

The Loire class is based upon civilian design, that been of a Multi Purpose-Supply Vessel (MPV) with a typical large open aft-stern deck for supplies and space for towing duties.

The custom-built BSAM quartet consist of the leadship Loire (A602), Rhône (A603), Seine (A604) and culminating with Garonne which was completed in 2020 by the Kership shipyard.

The 2,960 tonnes auxiliary MPV has a crew of 17 to operate the 70m long ship.

Last month's call to Cork by the Garonne had involved the vessel depart from Brest, Brittany whereas this call of the naval visitor had departed Cherbourg in neighbouring Normandy.

Garonne is to remain in port until Thursday morning.

As part of these port of calls, it is understood the vessel later this month is to make a call to the UK at the Royal Navy's main base in Portsmouth.