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Special 30th birthday party planned for naval vessel
By Sean O’Riordan
Monday, November 09, 2009
SHE’S clocked up enough miles to travel twice to the moon and back, carried out 5,000 fishery boardings and collected €3.5 million in fines.
To salute the ship’s achievements, a special 30th birthday party is planned for the LÉ Aoife later this month.
During her career she has clocked up 525,000 nautical miles and has been involved in some notable operations.
In 1985, LÉ Aoife was involved in the operation that found the flight recorder – the so-called "black box" – from the Air India disaster off the south-west coast.
The aircraft was blown up by terrorists, with the loss of 329 lives.
Seven years ago, LÉ Aoife was the search and rescue on-scene coordinator to provide assistance to the burning Canadian submarine, HMCS Chicoutimi, off the north-west coast, enduring some harsh seas over a prolonged spell.
Built at the Verlome Shipyard, Cobh, in 1979, she became the sixth ship of the Naval Service fleet, joining three ageing minesweepers from the UK Royal Navy and her sister ships, the LÉ Deirdre and LÉ Emer.
Today she is part of a fleet of eight ships, as one of the more experienced vessels.
In 1997, the vessel was adopted by Waterford City Council and the ship maintains close links to the city, the port and its people.
The children’s ward in Waterford Regional Hospital is the ship’s designated charity and the ship’s company makes regular contributions from funds raised through various events.
On November 27, she will celebrate her 30th year in commission, during which time she has detained 225 vessels, mainly for fishery offences.
Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Terry Ward said a birthday party to mark the occasion was planned.
"A number of special guests will attend, including members of her original crew commanded by Commander Eoin McNamara," Lt Cdr Ward said.
Her current captain, Lt Cdr Brian Dempsey, said commanding a naval ship was the highlight of all naval officers’ careers and that he was very proud to command LÉ Aoife.
"This anniversary allows me to acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to the protection of Ireland’s maritime domain," Lt Cdr Dempsey said.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, November 09, 2009
By Sean O’Riordan
Monday, November 09, 2009
SHE’S clocked up enough miles to travel twice to the moon and back, carried out 5,000 fishery boardings and collected €3.5 million in fines.
To salute the ship’s achievements, a special 30th birthday party is planned for the LÉ Aoife later this month.
During her career she has clocked up 525,000 nautical miles and has been involved in some notable operations.
In 1985, LÉ Aoife was involved in the operation that found the flight recorder – the so-called "black box" – from the Air India disaster off the south-west coast.
The aircraft was blown up by terrorists, with the loss of 329 lives.
Seven years ago, LÉ Aoife was the search and rescue on-scene coordinator to provide assistance to the burning Canadian submarine, HMCS Chicoutimi, off the north-west coast, enduring some harsh seas over a prolonged spell.
Built at the Verlome Shipyard, Cobh, in 1979, she became the sixth ship of the Naval Service fleet, joining three ageing minesweepers from the UK Royal Navy and her sister ships, the LÉ Deirdre and LÉ Emer.
Today she is part of a fleet of eight ships, as one of the more experienced vessels.
In 1997, the vessel was adopted by Waterford City Council and the ship maintains close links to the city, the port and its people.
The children’s ward in Waterford Regional Hospital is the ship’s designated charity and the ship’s company makes regular contributions from funds raised through various events.
On November 27, she will celebrate her 30th year in commission, during which time she has detained 225 vessels, mainly for fishery offences.
Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Terry Ward said a birthday party to mark the occasion was planned.
"A number of special guests will attend, including members of her original crew commanded by Commander Eoin McNamara," Lt Cdr Ward said.
Her current captain, Lt Cdr Brian Dempsey, said commanding a naval ship was the highlight of all naval officers’ careers and that he was very proud to command LÉ Aoife.
"This anniversary allows me to acknowledge the significant contribution she has made to the protection of Ireland’s maritime domain," Lt Cdr Dempsey said.
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, November 09, 2009
nice dry and warm in a hanger somewhere polished every morning by recruits
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