Time for Naval Service to up Their Defensive Game?

Victor

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/call-for-naval-service-clarity-on-migrant-rescue-1.3082914
Related story: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/lé-eithne-crew-on-standby-since-may-1st-for-humanitarian-mission-1.3082890

I understand that the Naval Service currently has no defensive measures other than the 57mm rocket launchers (Wallop?) used to launch flares. I can only assume the same launcher can launch chaff. Active measures are limited to medium and light guns. There are surface search radars (which will detect low flying objects) and ESM, but no active ECM.

Only LÉ Eithne has a proper air search radar, although at 33 year old and no longer required for use with the Dauphin helicopters, one wonders if it is serviceable.

What of damage control capabilites?

So, in an environment where there is a perception of threat, presumably predominantly from small arms and artillery, but potentially missiles, is the Naval Service up to it?

Larbre34

No it isn't. Lack of capability thread is yonder---->
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055762629

BoJack Horseman

It is an odd and unnecessary situation.

The government will likely review (not that this should take more than an hour) and permit closer collections of migrants.

Having a look at the situation there, there isn't much likelihood of a threat for ships working with the people traffickers in the west of the country.

ISIS have been expelled from there.

The last remaining ISIS coastal areas are towards the east of Libya.

If the people traffickers need a pickup closer to shore then an arbitrary 25km line shouldn't be necessary
From looking at a naval traffic site, the NGO vessels go a lot closer to shore to collect.

Victor

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

From looking at a naval traffic site, the NGO vessels go a lot closer to shore to collect.

Different rules for a naval ship - they can cut across territorial water to get to international waters, but they have no legal basis to do anything else in territorial waters, e.g. loiter, until an actual emergency is declared.

BoJack Horseman

Victor wrote: »

Different rules for a naval ship

Your Irish Times link suggests that the "rules" are whatever the government want them to be on any given moment.

There obviously was an emergency and the NS's 25km "rule" inhibited closer access.

so.... change the rule.
It isn't like it is a big deal to begin with.

Their job is to assist in ferrying migrants to Italy.
The commanders in the field should have the authority to pursue that mission in whatever way they see fit.

Morpheus

LE Eithne's air search radar dome (as far as i'm aware, from something that I read a few years ago) is lying disused and un serviceable in a dusty room in the naval base.

Tabnabs

Solas Chapter V

Regulation 33

1. The master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so. This obligation to provide assistance applies regardless of the nationality or status of such persons or the circumstances in which they are found. If the ship receiving the distress alert is unable or, in the special circumstances of the case, considers it unreasonable or unnecessary to proceed to their assistance, the master must enter in the log-book the reason for failing to proceed to the assistance of the persons in distress, taking into account the recommendation of the Organization, to inform the appropriate search and rescue service accordingly.

Silvera

Morpheus wrote: »

LE Eithne's air search radar dome (as far as i'm aware, from something that I read a few years ago) is lying disused and un serviceable in a dusty room in the naval base.

Strange? Is that because the ship no longer has a heli based onboard?

Would such a radar not be a great asset to have regardless of ship-bourne heli ops or not?

zone 1

LE Eithne is a oversized OPV built as HPV ,

Victor

BoJack Horseman wrote: »

Your Irish Times link suggests that the "rules" are whatever the government want them to be on any given moment.

I'm thinking United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which applies until such time as an emergency is declared.