Irish Naval Mediterranean EU rescue patrols

[na grohmiti]

Slight spanner in the works this week. The Captain of the vessel due to go has retired from the Naval service to take up a civilian post as head of NMCI.

Paul Hegarty Named as New Maritime College Head (afloat.ie)

[DeV]

Could be argued that due to the human rights abuses of the Libyan Coast Guard, all the more reason to train them

[na grohmiti]

So, with Niamh and Roisin currently in "Operational Reserve", we'll be sending 1/4 of our Operational fleet to do this tasking. While this is a great opportunity for the NS personnel involved, it's a decision that doesn't make a lot of sense given how hard it is for us to patrol our EEZ at present.

Word from HB is this mission is VITAL for retention.
Bigger picture folks.

The debate yetsteday was WILD.
Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Tuesday, 25 Apr 2023 – Houses of the Oireachtas

[DeV]

So, with Niamh and Roisin currently in "Operational Reserve", we'll be sending 1/4 of our Operational fleet to do this tasking. While this is a great opportunity for the NS personnel involved, it's a decision that doesn't make a lot of sense given how hard it is for us to patrol our EEZ at present.

Especially when the vessels is only going to be on ops in the area for a total of 34 days

all I can guess is, it’s our turn…. While there is currently various air assets tasked to Irini, there is only 2 frigates (Greek & Italian) and a German Oiler

[ODIN]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/...Ly4klpve5xE6n8 JmT13aLzNS4UTo1tkYQ

The ship will be positioned in the area of operations for 34 days and the remaining days will be spent travelling to and from the mission area, Mr Martin said. If approved at a vote in the Dáil on Wednesday evening, it will be the first operational overseas deployment of an Irish Naval ship since 2018, and only the third such mission in Naval Service history.

Mr Martin said the Naval Service has confirmed it will maintain a patrol plan that will have two ships on domestic patrols for 61 per cent of the deployment period and one ship for the remaining 39 per cent of the time.

“While the department recognises the operational challenges of having only one or two vessels available for domestic duties during this period, the potential benefits of participation in this mission to the recruitment and retention crisis in the Naval Service are accepted,” Mr Martin said.

So, with Niamh and Roisin currently in "Operational Reserve", we'll be sending 1/4 of our Operational fleet to do this tasking. While this is a great opportunity for the NS personnel involved, it's a decision that doesn't make a lot of sense given how hard it is for us to patrol our EEZ at present.

[DeV]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/...Ly4klpve5xE6n8 JmT13aLzNS4UTo1tkYQ

The ship will be positioned in the area of operations for 34 days and the remaining days will be spent travelling to and from the mission area, Mr Martin said. If approved at a vote in the Dáil on Wednesday evening, it will be the first operational overseas deployment of an Irish Naval ship since 2018, and only the third such mission in Naval Service history.

Mr Martin said the Naval Service has confirmed it will maintain a patrol plan that will have two ships on domestic patrols for 61 per cent of the deployment period and one ship for the remaining 39 per cent of the time.

“While the department recognises the operational challenges of having only one or two vessels available for domestic duties during this period, the potential benefits of participation in this mission to the recruitment and retention crisis in the Naval Service are accepted,” Mr Martin said.

[na grohmiti]

40 years ago their fathers were trying to stop arms getting out of Libya. Funny how things change!

How true.

[Flamingo]

Irish Times are reporting this morning that a NS vessel is going to be deployed to Op Irini, enforcing the arms embargo on Libya

40 years ago their fathers were trying to stop arms getting out of Libya. Funny how things change!

[DeV]

Though it is interesting to see less resistance to the idea from the DOD compared to the last Med mission (from memory wasn’t there resistance to the deployment, given how long ago it was I could be getting that wrong?)

Very much not wrong

[na grohmiti]

Last med mission became a political football. We were rescuing the boatloads, but the Italians stopped taking those rescued, and nobody else wanted to, so the mission focused on preventing travel instead, cracking down on the people trafficker. Meanwhile the Greek courts started prosecuting NGOs who were doing the same thing as what the NS was doing.
They chose not to participate at the same scale with the new mission, while retaining a small presence at its HQ in Italy.
Op Irini operates all year round.

[Sparky42]

Patrolling the Atlantic in winter, or the med in summer. Which would you volunteer for?
The exodus from the NS begun as soon as the Op Sophia patrols ended. his could be enough to keep those who are considering not renewing their contracts.

Only if it’s more than a one off surely? I mean if it’s like the reported limits for the Ukrainian training will it actually change minds?

Though it is interesting to see less resistance to the idea from the DOD compared to the last Med mission (from memory wasn’t there resistance to the deployment, given how long ago it was I could be getting that wrong?)

[DeV]

Patrolling the Atlantic in winter, or the med in summer. Which would you volunteer for?
The exodus from the NS begun as soon as the Op Sophia patrols ended. his could be enough to keep those who are considering not renewing their contracts.

Began long before that… and then got worse

[DeV]

Interesting to see how they manage this given the reports of the issues sustaining even one hull on patrol, but if it’s a one off will it have any impact on retention? Will it remain a one off or might it be extended?

And will they get both overseas allowances

[na grohmiti]

Patrolling the Atlantic in winter, or the med in summer. Which would you volunteer for?
The exodus from the NS begun as soon as the Op Sophia patrols ended. his could be enough to keep those who are considering not renewing their contracts.

[Sparky42]

Interesting to see how they manage this given the reports of the issues sustaining even one hull on patrol, but if it’s a one off will it have any impact on retention? Will it remain a one off or might it be extended?