SCANDAL OF SHIP WITH NO SAILORS
Staffing crisis on navy boat
A NAVAL ship cannot patrol Irish waters as there are not enough sailors to man it, the Irish Mirror can reveal.
The LE Orla, normally tasked with defending a stretch of water off the coast inside the so-called Irish box is tied up at Haulbowline Naval Base in Co Cork.
A whistleblower said: “The lads are disgusted, they want to do their work but there is simply not enough sailors to take her to sea.
“The Naval Service is at crisis point with staffing levels because of the extreme austerity suffered by the service.
“There are also a lot of people leaving because of pay issues – it is a tough job but they have proven themselves at sea in the Mediterranean in recent years.” Security sources also fear the lack of a vessel off the coast could see a bonanza for smugglers.
The source added: “LE Orla (P41) is involved in monitoring the fishing fleet using our waters but also is directly involved in anti-drugs operations.
“The fact she is not at sea at the moment has left a gaping LE Orla is tied up in Co Cork hole in cover. The Air Corps CASA marine patrol aircraft is filling the gap but this is a resourcing issue and needs to be fixed.
“The Air Corps are struggling themselves with low numbers and retention of air crew so this is not an adequate solution.”
The Department of Defence did not respond to the Irish Mirror’s request for a statement.
However, the Defence Forces press office said: “While for security and operational reasons, details relating to the tasking of Naval Service vessels cannot be released, we can confirm the Naval Service, in conjunction with the Air Corps CASA maritime surveillance aircraft, continue to carry out their Maritime Security and Defence operational responsibilities.”
The Defence Forces are in the midst of an Industrial Relations meltdown as hundreds of personnel marched on the Dail in protest.
Figures revealed there is at a 9,000 head count which is the lowest in the history of the State – around 500 below agreed levels.