The ''Róisín''-class large patrol vessel is a class of offshore patrol vessels (OPV) ordered by the

Irish Naval Service The Naval Service () is the maritime component of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Defence Forces of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and is one of the three branches of the Irish Defence Forces. Its base is in Haulbowline, County Cork. Though prece ...

from December 1997. The first vessel is named , which is also the name given to the class. Construction on this first vessel commenced in December 1997, and it was commissioned in December 1999. The second vessel was named and delivered in 2001. The class's primary mission is fisheries protection,

search and rescue Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search ...

, and maritime protection operations, including vessel boardings.

Design

The class was designed by Vard Marine (formerly STX Canada Marine) and has an all-steel hull based on the Mauritian patrol vessel launched in 1995, but without the helicopter deck and hangar facilities. The level of automation incorporated into the ships' systems allows the ships in the class to be operated with just 44 crew including 6 officers. The class is designed for winter

North Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for ...

operations.

Names

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roisin class OPV Patrol vessels of the Irish Naval Service Patrol ship classes