Navy exercises spectacular for sightseers

THOUSANDS of sightseers were treated to a spectacular show this week as the Irish Naval Service continued its annual exercises off the southwest coast.

The sight of eight warships and patrol boats navigating through Long Island Bay, in particular, provided a treat for holidaymakers and coastline residents.

“As the morning mist lifted, I couldn’t believe my eyes as these large ships appeared in the bay,” said one resident.

In a tricky navigational manoeuvre, the naval service’s flagship LÉ Eithne led the fleet through many of Carbery’s Hundred Isles in the bay and out into the open sea after negotiating the Gascanane Sound between Cape Clear and Sherkin islands.

Commander-in-chief of the naval service, Commodore Frank Lynch, yesterday supervised the exercises from the LÉ Eithne but will visit all the ships’ companies before the weekend.

The defence forces emphasised that despite the main fleet being restricted this week to the southwest, the naval service would continue to maintain its fishery protection duties.

The large-scale exercise involves about 1,000 members of the naval service, which has its headquarters in Haulbowline in Cork Harbour.

Lt Cdr Tom Doyle said the exercises commenced on Sunday last off Ballinskelligs in Kerry and, from today, will also involve shore-based members of the service.

“Since the foundation of the naval service, the annual exercises remains part of the tradition,” he said.

“The ships will be carrying out functions they do all year around along with working together doing towing, replenishment at sea, fleet manoeuvres, anti-aircraft and surface firing of weapons.

“Some of the drills also include engineering tasks, fire fighting and emergency breakdowns.”

The 90-metre Eithne is joined on the exercises by the Róisín and Niamh, both newly-built and commissioned in recent years, along with the three offshore patrol boats, the Aisling, Aoife and Emer, and the two coastal vessels, Orla and Ciara.