Male naval personnel were forced to change on the side of a road and female colleagues in a mini-bus with no curtains before Sunday’s national commemoration events after a room set aside for them was allegedly used for a “VIP reception”.

A former Army private, a rugby international, a martial arts instructor and a one-time IT recruitment consultant are among nine young men who have become the latest additions to the Naval Service officers' ranks.

Defence Forces bosses want the Government to establish an independent pay review board, similar to ones in Britain and Australia, to curtail the exodus of highly trained personnel who are leaving for better wages and conditions elsewhere.

More than 30 members of the naval service have asked to apply for discharge from the force in the past month, which has been described as “unprecedented” and “worrying” by their representative organisation.

No prior warning was given to the Government by UCC and Cork Institute of Technology about their decision to withdraw funding and staffing from an award-winning start-up business hub in which the Naval Service was a joint partner.

The Naval Service has successfully tested a revolutionary new radar system which it is hoping to market globally.

A Dutch businessman has picked up decommissioned Naval Service ship LÉ Aisling for the bargain basement price of €110,000.

While the Naval Service may have stolen the limelight for its migrant rescue operations, it was one of the busiest years on record for the rest of the Defence Forces, both at home and abroad.

People-smugglers are brutalising migrants to such an extent the Naval Service is concerned it will find more of them dead in boats during the coming months.

The Naval Service yesterday pointed to an increasing number of third-level graduates entering the force as ordinary recruits.

The Naval Service is gearing up to save even more migrants from drowning in the Mediterranean Sea this year as refugees pour into Libya from Middle East war zones following Turkey’s promise to cut people-smuggling operations across the Aegean into Greece.

It may have sounded a bit head in the clouds when the naval service announced plans to use a kite in an innovative radar system which would also help save fuel.

After years of having insufficient organisational strength, a major push is on to bolster the ranks of the naval service’s reserves — the only section of the Defence Forces which will see a significant increase in numbers in coming years.

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

New recruits at their passing out parade must realise they are entering the Irish Naval Service at probably the most exciting time in its history.

Ship ahoy! Navy top brass have confirmed that key personnel will shortly be sent to Devon to familiarise themselves with technology onboard their newest vessel before taking her on sea trials later this month.

The Naval Service will this year make history when it tests new kite sails which will have the combined effect of providing enhanced surveillance and saving fuel.