Róisín-class patrol vessel

The Róisín-class large patrol vessel is a class of offshore patrol vessels (OPV) [2] ordered by the Irish Naval Service from December 1997. The first vessel is named Róisín,[3] which is also the name given to the class. Construction on this first vessel commenced in December 1997, and it was commissioned in December 1999. The second vessel was named Niamh and delivered in 2001.[4]

Róisín on patrol
Class overview
NameRóisín class
BuildersAppledore Shipbuilders, North Devon
OperatorsRepublic of Ireland Irish Naval Service
Preceded byPeacock class
Succeeded bySamuel Beckett class
In commission1999–present
Planned2
Completed2
Active0
Laid up2 (as of February 2023)[1]
General characteristics
TypeOffshore patrol vessel
Displacement1,500 t (1,500 long tons)
Length78.84 m (258 ft 8 in)
Beam14 m (45 ft 11 in)
Draught3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Installed power2 × 5,000 kW (6,700 hp)
Propulsion2 × Wärtsilä medium speed diesels
Speed23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) (maximum)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried
  • 2 × Delta 6.5 m (21 ft) RHIB
  • 1 × Avon 5.4 m (18 ft) RHIB
Complement44 (6 officers and 38 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems
Kelvin Hughes radar
Armament

The class's primary mission is fisheries protection, search and rescue, and maritime protection operations, including vessel boardings.

Design

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The class was designed by Vard Marine (formerly STX Canada Marine) and has an all-steel hull based on the Mauritian patrol vessel Vigilant launched in 1995, but without the helicopter deck and hangar facilities. The level of automation incorporated into the ships' systems allows the ships in the class to be operated with just 44 crew including 6 officers. The class is designed for winter North Atlantic operations.

Names

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Name Pennant number Builder Laid down Commissioned Status
Róisín P51 Appledore Shipbuilders, North Devon December 1997 15 December 1999 "Operational reserve" (as of January 2023)[5]
Niamh P52 April 2000 18 September 2001

References

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  1. ^ "Irish Naval Service opts to mothball Roisin-class OPVs due to manning issues". janes.com. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Róisín class". naval-technology.com.
  3. ^ "L.É. Róisín P51". military.ie.
  4. ^ "L.É. Niamh P52". military.ie.
  5. ^ O'Connor, Niall (25 January 2023). "Two naval ships to be tied up as staffing crisis deepens in Irish Navy". thejournal.ie. Journal Media Ltd. Retrieved 29 January 2023.