The Irish naval services’ new ship William Butler Yeats arrived into Cobh Saturday morning (23rd July) for the first time having departed the Devon coast the previous day.
Now arrived Cobh, the next two months will see the W. B Yeats undergo testing, assessments and fitting-out ahead of being commissioned into the fleet in September. It’s a that point she will receive the prefix ‘L.É’ (Long Éireannach)(Irish Ship).
Have a closer look below: (Photos from Irish Naval Sevice Facebook and taken by Jerry Hammett)
Departing the Devon coast for Ireland
She is the third Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), joining the LÉ Samuel Beckett, commissioned in 2014 and LÉ James Joyce, commissioned in 2015.
The ship features an extended monohull design with a length of 89.5m, beam of 14m, draft of 3.8m and displacement of 1,900t. She will typically carry 54 personnel (44 Ships Company and 10 trainees.)
The main gun of the vessel is a 76mm compact naval gun equipped with an electro optical fire control system.
OPV’s are primarily deployed in fishery protection, search and rescue and maritime patrol missions in the 200-mile Irish Economic Exclusion Zone.
LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) arrives into Haulbowline @defenceforces pic.twitter.com/SFJbYfu178
— H (@MemeryH) July 23, 2016