Return of Naval Shipbuilding: First Irish-Built Vessel in 40 Years | Season 4 – Episode 94
Floats Dec 10, 2024
After a 40-year gap since the LÉ Eithne was built at Verolme Dockyard in 1984, a new Naval Service Reserve vessel has been launched on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry. Commissioned by the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) and constructed at F.M. Marine Services on Valentia Island, this vessel marks a historic return to Irish naval shipbuilding.
Named Fionnghuala, it is the first of four planned 14m Multi-Purpose Motor Launches (MPML) designed to enhance Ireland’s maritime defence. The Fionnghuala will support a variety of operations, including training, search and rescue and maritime port security and they’re likely to be based in the ports of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Foynes/ Limerick.
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CONTROVERSY
The announcement of the new vessel in February 2022 sparked controversy when the €2.6 million contract to build four MPML’s was awarded. Concerns were raised at that time over how the vessels would be crewed, as the Naval Service Reserve (NSR) had only 116 personnel at the time, falling far short of its minimum required strength of 200.
DESIGN
The Fionnghuala is equipped with an A-frame gantry for dive operations and survey work, a loading crane for efficient cargo handling, and twin gun mounts for security. It also features a custom mast to house specialised communications equipment and instrumentation.
According to a statement by Fionan Murphy, managing director of F.M. Marine Services, “These features ensure that the Fionnghuala is a highly adaptable platform, capable of fulfilling multiple missions including multi-purpose training, surveillance, and support roles”.
FM MARINE SERVICES
The launch of the Fionnghuala “represents a significant achievement” for FM Marine Services, a family run boat yard located at Ballymanagh Lower on Valentia Island, County Kerry, said Fionan Murphy, managing director. “This vessel has been designed to meet the diverse and evolving needs of the Irish Naval Service Reserve. We are proud of the work we have done, providing a bespoke service that allowed us to work flexibly with the Irish Naval Service Reserve to deliver a vessel that we hope will prove to be an invaluable asset for training and operational support for years to come,” he said.
IRELAND MADE
In the construction and kit-out stages of Fionnghuala, Irish suppliers were used wherever possible. Powered by twin Cummins QSC 8.3-litre 500-horsepower engines, the vessel delivers outstanding performance. It is also fitted with a Vetus 14 KVA generator supplied by South Shore Marine. Additionally, the Fionnghuala features a comprehensive suite of electronics provided by Tom Hand, a marine electronics supplier based in nearby Dingle.
Each week, we travel far and wide to bring you our unique Irish transport stories. If you’d like to help cover travel costs, please consider subscribing for just €2 a month via www.irelandmade.ie —less than the price of a cup of coffee!
CYGNUS BOATS
In addition to building the Fionnghuala and her three sister vessels, FM Marine Services Ltd operates a state-of-the-art facility on Valentia Island dedicated to constructing new Cygnus fishing boats. We’ll cover the story of these fascinating vessels in an upcoming episode.
OFFICIAL LAUNCH
The vessel was officially launched on December 5th 2024 at F.M. Marine Services’ Valentia Island facility, with attendees including key representatives from the Irish Naval Service and the Irish Naval Service Reserve.
NAVAL SERVICE RESERVE
The Naval Service Reserve (NSR) (Irish: Cúltaca na Seirbhíse Cabhlaigh) is the reserve force of the Irish Naval Service. The NSR was established on October 1st 2005 to replace, An Slua Muirí, which in turn replaced the fore-runner Maritime Inscription founded in 1940 to act as a Port Control authority during The Emergency (WWII). Originally formed at Dublin’s Alexandra Basin, its headquarters was in Portobello barracks, now known as Cathal Brugha Barracks.
The Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is a part-time voluntary organisation that trains its members in various nautical and military disciplines to support and augment the Naval Service. It operates through five units located in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford, and a dedicated Technical Support Unit.
The NSR augments the crews of Naval Service vessels during operational patrols of Ireland Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The NSR conducts its own stand-alone operations within their respective ports, such as sighting reports and intelligence gathering and reservists are liable to be called up on permanent service by ministerial order in times of emergency.
If you have an idea for a story, please email Kevin Reid [email protected]
Sources of Information & Photo Credits:
Afloat.ie
Department of Defence – Naval Service
F.M. Marine Services Ltd.
Irish Naval Service Reserve
Military.ie
Photos credit: FM Marine
Photos credit: Valerie O’Sullivan
