Samuel Beckett-class

Summary

Description

The Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) represent a fleet of ships built for the Irish Naval Service starting in 2010. The initial vessel of the class, named after the famed Irish playwright Samuel Beckett, was commissioned in May 2014, marking the beginning of a new era in maritime capability for Ireland. Subsequent vessels were named after other renowned Irish literary figures: James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, and George Bernard Shaw.

The design of these vessels was provided by Vard Marine Inc. and shared elements with the Irish Naval Service's earlier Róisín class. Enhanced for the challenging conditions of the North Atlantic, the Samuel Beckett-class OPVs are longer and deeper, providing improved sea-keeping abilities. Their capabilities are broad, with accommodation for a standard crew of 44 in addition to 10 trainees. These ships boast a cruising speed of 16 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 23 knots. Designed with versatility in mind, they can carry remotely operated submersibles and a decompression chamber to support various operations including search and rescue, undersea exploration, and enhanced maritime surveillance. Expanded deck areas allow for the potential deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles. They are also equipped with innovative technologies for fuel efficiency, such as Dynamic Positioning systems and "Power Take In Systems" that support battery storage or the use of a more economical engine when the main engines are powered down.

The Irish government invested significantly in the strengthening of its maritime defense, engaging with the UK-based shipbuilder Babcock Marine for the construction of these ships. The steel for the lead ship was cut in November 2011, and its keel-laying occurred in May 2012. The Samuel Beckett-class vessels were constructed using modern modular methods. Despite the non-traditional construction, keel-laying is still celebrated as a milestone event. The fit-out of crew quarters for the first two ships was a multi-million contract undertaken by Moss Marine of Southampton, with the first ship commencing fitting out in March 2012.

As the class of ships was progressively delivered—with the second vessel arriving in 2015, the third in 2016, and the fourth in 2018—the total cost for the first three ships, including armaments, was approximately €213 million. The Samuel Beckett-class ships are equipped with the Mercury IP communication system, incorporating marine radio channels and a system connecting workgroups through various onboard interfaces.

Breaking with the tradition of naming Irish Naval vessels after figures in Irish mythology, the vessels were named after luminaries of Irish literature. This decision, initiated by the Minister for Defence, was a subject of debate but ultimately established a new tradition reflecting Ireland's rich literary heritage.

Technical specifications