Ship ahoy as Navy puts best foot forward for festival

Today will mark one of the biggest displays of naval firepower seen in Cork harbour for many years.

The Russian, French, Belgians and British are sending warships to take part in a special Naval Festival which forms part of Cork’s contribution to Rebel Week.

Minister Alan Shatter will take a review from the LÉ Eithne of 11 other vessels, including Irish ships, which will be anchored in the lower harbour from 11am.

Crews from the each of the vessels will line the decks for the ceremony as the LÉ Eithne passes each of them.

The biggest warship on show will be the 133-metre- long frigate HMS Northumberland.

The Russians are sending the impressive stealth corvette RFS Soobrasitelny. The French contingent consists of the FS Lion and Panthere while the Belgians will be represented by the BN Primula and BN Strern.

After the ceremony the LÉ Eithne and LÉ Aisling will escort the French, Belgian and British vessels up river to Custom House Quay.

All but the HMS Northumberland will be open to the public over the weekend.

The Russian warship will proceed into Cobh in the afternoon and she will also be open to the public.

Meanwhile, proud families watched as 44 potential new leaders of the Naval Service were involved in a passing out ceremony.

Commodore Mark Mellett, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service, took the salute from the 42 men and two women who had completed 22 weeks of training on the service’s 36th Potential NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) course.

This was necessary to qualify them to hold the rank of Leading Rate in the Naval Service. The course prepares them to take on the responsibilities of leadership and to manage personnel.

Those involved in the passing out parade came from Cork, Waterford, Dublin, Donegal, Westmeath, Limerick, Tipperary, Mayo, Louth, Clare and Carlow, Laois, Galway, Meath, Kilkenny, Limerick, Wexford.

Throughout their training, the students on the Potential NCO’s course raised €2,000 for their chosen charity ‘Friends of Cobh Community Hospital’ by competing the Defence Forces’ ‘An Cosantoir’ 10km Road Race and a Kenmare to Killarney 20km hike.