Arrival of €50m navy ship delayed by propulsion problems

The Government will not accept delivery of a new €50 million-plus navy ship until problems with its propulsion system have been fixed.

The LÉ James Joyce was due to be handed over to the Naval Service last month but difficulties emerged with its mechanical system when it was undergoing sea trials in the Bristol Channel.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said he regarded the problems “as serious enough” not to sign off on accepting the vessel until they were rectified.

While he did not specify exactly what the problems were, sources have told the Irish Examiner that the shaft which connects the engines to the propellers had not been properly aligned.

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As a result, the whole ship reportedly vibrates and when engine thrust is applied, the “noise is unbearable,” said one source.

The ship was built to the same specification as the LÉ Samuel Beckett which was delivered to the Naval Service last year.

Both vessels were completed by Babcock Marine, a company based in Devon. The company also delivered two other patrol ships to the naval service, LÉ Róisín and LÉ Niamh.

Last June, the Government placed an order for a new ship with Babcok Marine. As yet unnamed, it is due to be delivered to the Naval Service sometime in the spring of 2016.

Mr Coveney said the Government enjoyed “a great relationship with the shipyard” but confirmed he would not sign-off on taking the LÉ James Joyce until the problems are resolved.

Meanwhile, the minister confirmed Maltese navy personnel had recently surveyed the LÉ Aoife at Haulbowline and “were very happy with the vessel as there was more technology on it they expected”.

The Government had gifted the LÉ Aoife to the Maltese to help them with the seaborne refugee crisis in the Mediterranean. Retired Maltese navy officers had previously said their country should not accept the gift, claiming the 1979-built LÉ Aoife was too old and leave Malta open to becoming a scrapyard for old ships.

They also said it was unsuitable as it could not launch a small craft from its stern and did not have a large enough hold which could accommodate rescued migrants.

Mr Coveney said LÉ Aoife would now go into dry dock in Verlome where her hull would be surveyed. “This is sensible, due diligence, but we’re confident about that.”

He said a Maltese crew was expected to take the vessel back to the Mediterranean island in mid-June.

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