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Babcock Marine has launched the first of two new 90 m offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Irish Naval Service (INS) and laid the keel for the second unit at its Appledore yard in southern England, officials have announced.
First-of-class LÈ Samuel Beckett was floated out on 3 November. Keel laying for the second 1,933-tonne vessel took place on 4 November.
LÈ Samuel Beckett is now 92% complete, with power being generated by the ship's machinery, a Babcock spokeswoman told IHS Jane's . The ship's lighting and forward and aft capstans were also activated and used during the float-up,
"Well, stone me! We've had cocaine, bribery and Arsenal scoring two goals at home. But just when you thought there were truly no surprises left in football, Vinnie Jones turns out to be an international player!" (Jimmy Greaves)!"
The original original plan as per the Fleet Replacement Programme which was underpinned by the last White Paper should have seen the first replacement OPV delivered in 2008 and the second in 2009. The programme is 6 years behind schedule.
The original original plan as per the Fleet Replacement Programme which was underpinned by the last White Paper should have seen the first replacement OPV delivered in 2008 and the second in 2009. The programme is 6 years behind schedule.
The third being due in 2010, the fourth this year and 2 more in 4 years time.
Then Government policy changed from the 30 year rule to the 35 year rule.
So first in 2013, second this year, third in 2015, fourth in 2019 and 2 more in 2023. And they are still a year behind schedule (oh and Government policy says an 8 vessel flotilla, we now have 7).
Why is being schedule?
It took 3 years to select the winning tender bid and award the contract, which would have meant the first and second vessels would have already been overdue replacement by 3-4 years by the time they were delivered.
Plus of course the economic downturn
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