New naval vessels to be put to sea next year, if there are enough crew members

Following a mammoth voyage from New Zealand last month, heavy lift ship Happy Dynamic arrives at Cork Harbour with two new inshore patrol boats for the Naval Service. Many sailors who commute from Dublin and other east coast areas to work from the navy headquarters in Cork Harbour have expressed an interest in being based nearer to home. Picture: David Creedon

Two ships bought from New Zealand for €26m won’t become operational until next year—and only if the navy has the personnel to crew them.

The two inshore patrol vessels are smaller than the P60 class ships, such as LÉ James Joyce, and need fewer crew members to operate.  But the personnel crisis in the service has become so acute the navy has admitted it may have difficulty putting them to sea.