Revenue launches new €8.75m customs boat to combat smuggling

'Cosaint' will be operation in the coming weeks. Picture: Revenue

Revenue has formally launched a new specialised vessel that will be used by the customs agency’s maritime unit to monitor and patrol the Irish coastline.

The new cutter vessel, ‘Cosaint’, was officially named and commissioned during a ceremony in Kinsale on Thursday.

Revenue said its maritime unit, which is responsible for patrolling Ireland’s 3,173km coastline, has already spent the past two months conducting sea trials, familiarisation manoeuvres, and several active patrol exercises onboard the vessel. It will move into full operational service in the coming weeks.

‘Cosaint’ — meaning “Protection” in Irish — replaces Revenue’s current customs cutter ‘Suirbhéir’, which has been in service since 2004 and will soon be retired from active duty. Once operational, ‘Cosaint’ will join Revenue’s other cutter, ‘Faire’, in performing maritime patrols to detect and prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and other prohibited goods into or out of Ireland and the EU.

The vessel has been specifically designed for complex maritime enforcement operations and is equipped with advanced navigational and surveillance systems. It measures 35 metres in length, has a gross tonnage of 204 tonnes, a range exceeding 750 nautical miles, and a top speed of 18 knots.

Revenue said the vessel’s enhanced manoeuvrability will “significantly enhance the ability of Revenue’s Maritime Unit to undertake effective patrol duties and combat smuggling.”

The vessel was officially named and commissioned at a ceremony in Kinsale on Thursday. Picture: Revenue

The €8.75m cost of the new cutter, plus VAT, was funded by the Exchequer and supported by a grant from OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) under the EU Anti-Fraud Programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, Revenue chairman Niall Cody said that since January 2023, customs officials have completed more than 35,000 drug seizures, amounting to 110 tonnes with an estimated value of over €650m.

He said the procurement of the new customs cutter was “a clear demonstration of Revenue, and the Irish State’s, ongoing commitment to targeting illicit trade, smuggling, and organised crime in the maritime domain.”

Revenue Commissioner Maura Kiely said the maritime unit operates “in challenging and difficult environments,” and that the launch of the new cutter was a testament to the dedication and record-breaking results achieved by enforcement teams.

"The strategic working relationships our teams have with other national and international law enforcement agencies, including our Joint Task Force partners, is another key element in the successes we have achieved in our fight against drug trafficking," she said.