View source for LÉ Niamh

{{Short description|2001 Róisín-class offshore patrol vessel}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}

{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image = LE Niamh (P52).jpg
|Ship caption = ''Niamh'' sailing in August 2013
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header =
|Ship country = Ireland
|Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Ireland|naval}}
|Ship name = LÉ ''Niamh''
|Ship namesake = [[Niamh (mythology)|Niamh]], an Irish mythological character
|Ship ordered =
|Ship awarded =
|Ship builder =[[Appledore Shipbuilders]], [[North Devon]]
|Ship original cost =
|Ship yard number =
|Ship way number =
|Ship laid down =
|Ship launched =
|Ship sponsor =
|Ship christened =
|Ship completed =
|Ship acquired =
|Ship commissioned =18 September 2001
|Ship recommissioned =
|Ship decommissioned =
|Ship maiden voyage =
|Ship in service =
|Ship out of service =
|Ship renamed =
|Ship reclassified =
|Ship refit =
|Ship struck =
|Ship reinstated =
|Ship homeport = Haulbowline Naval Base
|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|9231456}}
*{{MMSI Number|250480000}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: EIYN
*[[Pennant number]]: P52
|Ship motto =
|Ship nickname =
|Ship honours =
|Ship captured =
|Ship fate =
|Ship status = Under repair and "mid-life upgrade" {{as of|2023|02|lc=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/irish-naval-service-opts-to-mothball-roisin-class-opvs-due-to-manning-issues | website = janes.com | title = Irish Naval Service opts to mothball Roisin-class OPVs due to manning issues | date = 3 February 2023 | accessdate = 4 February 2023 }}</ref>
|Ship notes =
|Ship badge =
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header =
|Header caption =
|Ship class = {{sclass|Róisín|offshore patrol vessel}}
|Ship displacement = 1,500 tonnes standard
|Ship length = {{convert|78.84|m|abbr=on}} overall
|Ship beam = {{convert|14|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught = {{convert|3.8|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth =
|Ship power =
|Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed = {{convert|42.6|km/h|kn|lk=out|abbr=on}} maximum
|Ship range =
|Ship endurance =
|Ship boats = * 2 Delta {{convert|6.5|m|abbr=on}} RHIBs
*1 Avon {{convert|5.4|m|abbr=on}} RHIB
|Ship capacity =
|Ship troops =
|Ship complement = 44 (6 officers and 38 ratings)
|Ship time to activate =
|Ship sensors =
|Ship EW =
|Ship armament =*1 × [[Otobreda 76 mm|76 mm OTO Melara Cannon]]
*2 × 20 mm Rheinmetall Rh202 Canon
*2 × 12.7 mm  HMG
*4 × 7.62 mm GPMG
|Ship armour =
|Ship armor =
|Ship aircraft =
|Ship aircraft facilities = 
|Ship notes =
}}
|}
[[File:LE Niamh.jpg|thumb|''Niamh'' at [[Haulbowline]] in February 2008]]
'''LÉ ''Niamh'' (P52)''' is a {{sclass|Róisín|offshore patrol vessel}} in the [[Irish Naval Service]]. The ship is named after [[Niamh (mythology)|Niamh]], queen of [[Tír na nÓg]], from [[Irish mythology]]. Commissioned in 2001, {{As of|2020|lc=y}} the ship was in active service.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/navy-vessel-le-niamh-praised-for-efforts-in-assisting-fuel-vessel-off-galway-bay/ | website = galwaybayfm.ie | title = Navy vessel LÉ Niamh praised for efforts in assisting fuel vessel off Galway Bay | date = 6 August 2020 | accessdate = 10 July 2022 }}</ref>

==Design==
The ship was designed by [[STX Corporation|STX Canada Marine]] (formerly Kvaerner Masa Marine) and has an all-steel hull based on the [[Mauritius|Mauritian]] patrol vessel {{ship|MCGS|Vigilant||2}} launched in 1995, but without the [[helicopter]] deck and hangar facilities. The level of automation incorporated into the ship's systems allows the ship to be operated with just 44 crew including six officers. The vessel is designed for [[winter]] [[North Atlantic]] operations.

==Weapons systems==
The ship is armed with an [[Otobreda 76 mm|OTO Melara 76 mm]] dual-purpose gun installed on the [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] gun deck. The gun fires {{convert|12|kg|adj=on}} shells and is capable of firing up to 85 rounds per minute to a range of over {{convert|15|km}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/equipment/|title=Equipment|work=military.ie|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref> It also has two 12.7&nbsp;mm (.50&nbsp;inch) machine guns and two [[Rheinmetall Rh 202|20 mm Rheinmetall Rh202 Canon]] for anti-aircraft defence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/equipment/|title=Equipment|work=military.ie|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref>

The main gun is controlled by an Ultra Electronics Command and Control Systems, Radamec 1500 optronic director with a daylight TV camera, thermal imaging camera and eyesafe laser rangefinder. System 1500 functions in automatic or manual mode. The system provides fire control for surface engagement with spotting corrections in both line and range and has an effective secondary self-defence anti-air capability. System 1500 can detect a small patrol boat at ranges in excess of {{convert|12|km}}, night or day. The ship's Kelvin Hughes surface search radar, operating at E, F and I bands, is installed high on the main mast over the bridge. The Kelvin Hughes navigation radar operates at I-band.

==Command and control==
The communications package includes [[VHF]], HF, [[Inmarsat]] [[Global Maritime Distress Safety System]] (GMDSS) and [[Differential Global Positioning System]] (DFPS) and secure communications. Three inflatable boats are deployed from each ship; two {{convert|6.5|m|adj=on}} Delta [[Rigid-hulled inflatable boat|rigid inflatable boats]] (RIB) launched with Caley davits, and a single Avon {{convert|5.4|m|adj=on}} RIB.

==Propulsion==
The ship is powered by two [[Wärtsilä]] 16V26 diesel engines each developing {{convert|5,000|kW|abbr=on}} continuous power.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.military.ie/en/naval-service/fleet/large-patrol-vessel/|title=Large Patrol Vessel|work=military.ie|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref> The engines drive two shafts with Lips inboard turning controllable pitch propellers via single reduction gearboxes. Each propeller is 2,500&nbsp;mm in diameter and functions at 300 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]].

The engines provide a maximum speed of {{convert|22|kn|lk=in}} with a range of {{convert|6,000|nmi|lk=in}} at a cruising speed of {{convert|15|kn}}.

A Brunvoll FU45 CPP bow thruster, rated at 340&nbsp;kW with 5.6 [[tonne-force|t]] (55 [[kilonewton|kN]]) thrust, is fitted for precision manoeuvring and station keeping. The vessel is also equipped with a pair of non-retractable anti-roll fin stabilisers.

Three Caterpillar 3412D1-T generators each deliver 405 kWe at 1,500 rpm. One Caterpillar 3406D1-T emergency generator delivers 205 kWe at 1,500 rpm.

==Construction and career==
The second of the ''Róisín'' or P50 class of offshore patrol boats, ''Niamh'' was built by [[Appledore Shipbuilders]] in [[Devon]], entered service with the Irish Naval Service in July 2001, and is based at the [[Haulbowline]] Island, [[Cork Harbour]] Headquarters and Dockyard.
Niamh's adopted home port is [[Limerick City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.ie/en/naval-service/fleet/large-patrol-vessel/le-niamh-p-52/|title=L.É. Niamh P 52|work=military.ie|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref>

[[File:LE Niamh Return from South America (4797101764).jpg|thumb|''Niamh'' returns to Haulbowline following her 2010 South American tour]]
In February 2002, 5 months after she was commissioned, ''Niamh'' departed from Haulbowline on the most ambitious deployment ever undertaken by an Irish Naval Service vessel; initially tasked with resupplying [[Irish Army]] troops deployed as part of the [[United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea]], she subsequently undertook a cruise to a number of nations in Asia as part of the Irish government's overseas trade promotion strategy  visiting [[Hong Kong]], [[Incheon]], [[Shanghai]], [[Tokyo]] and [[Penang]] over a four-month period.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.military.ie/naval-service/history/|title=History|accessdate=29 September 2014}}</ref> During the cruise, ''Niamh'' became the first Irish warship to both transit the [[Suez Canal]] and cross the Equator.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://raco.ie/attachments/067_1_1_navalgazing.pdf |title=The Voyage of LE Niamh |last1=Hessinger |first1=Robyn |date= |website=raco.ie |publisher=Representative Association of Commissioned Officers |access-date=31 October 2015 |quote=}}</ref>

''Niamh'' was involved in the rescue of the [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Canadian Forces]] [[submarine]] {{HMCS|Chicoutimi|SSK 879|2}} off the northwestern coast of [[Ireland]] on 5 October 2004.

In November 2008 ''Niamh'' played an important role in the seizure of €750 million of cocaine off the Irish coast as part of [[Operation Seabight]]. The ship was used by authorities to approach and board the yacht ''Dances with Waves'', which contained 75 bales of the controlled substance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5108868.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226155401/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article5108868.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2011|title=British criminals believed to be behind Ireland cocaine seizure worth £500m|date=2008-11-08|accessdate=2008-11-08|newspaper=[[The Times]] | location=London | first=David | last=Sharrock}}</ref>

''Niamh'' took part in a surveillance operation of the yacht ''Makayabella'' in September 2014 before it was boarded {{convert|200|mi}} off [[Mizen Head]] and subsequently had €80m worth of [[cocaine]] seized.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/24/irish-navy-cocaine-drug-smuggled-ireland|title=Irish navy intercepts massive cocaine shipment off coast of Cork|work=[[theguardian.com]]|accessdate=27 September 2014}}</ref>

From July–September 2015, ''Niamh'' took part in a humanitarian operation in the [[Mediterranean]]: rescuing migrants from unseaworthy vessels.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Siggins|first1=Lorna|title=LE Niamh rescues over 360 migrants in the Mediterranean|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/le-niamh-rescues-over-360-migrants-in-mediterranean-1.2290934|newspaper=Irish Times|accessdate=24 July 2015}}</ref> This included a significant incident when ''Niamh'' was first to respond to the capsizing of a boat carrying hundreds of migrants off the coast of [[Libya]]. 367 migrants were rescued by the crew of ''Niamh'' and brought to [[Palermo]] — though several hundred were feared drowned.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0806/719476-migrants-mediterranean/ |title= LÉ Niamh arrives in Italy with 367 rescued migrants | publisher = RTÉ News | date= 7 August 2015 |accessdate= 10 January 2016}}</ref> ''Niamh'' returned to Ireland in October 2015,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sean|first1=O'Riordan|title=Crew of LÉ Niamh set to return home in October|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/crew-of-le-niamh-set-to-return-home-in-october-348808.html|newspaper=Irish Examiner|accessdate=23 August 2015}}</ref> before undertaking additional missions under [[Operation Sophia]] in subsequent years.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hugs-kisses-and-a-proposal-as-le-niamh-returns-home-819719.html | newspaper = Irish Examiner | date = 21 December 2017 | title = Hugs, kisses, and a proposal as LÉ Niamh returns home | accessdate = 20 October 2018 }}</ref>

As of mid-2021, the vessel had reportedly commenced a midlife refit, which was projected to take between 12 and 18 months.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-07-14/172/ | website = oireachtas.ie | title = Questions - Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 July 2021 - Naval Service | date = 14 July 2021 | accessdate = 10 July 2022 }}</ref> In January 2023, ''LÉ Niamh'' and ''[[LÉ Róisin]]'' had reportedly been tied-up at Haulbowline and would not be "[sent] on patrol due to the crippling staffing retention and recruitment crisis in the Defence Forces".<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.thejournal.ie/navy-ships-tied-up-roisin-niamh-5978870-Jan2023/ | website = thejournal.ie | publisher = Journal Media Ltd | title = Two naval ships to be tied up as staffing crisis deepens in Irish Navy | date = 25 January 2023 | accessdate = 29 January 2023 }}</ref>

==See also==
*{{sclass2|Protector|offshore patrol vessel}} RNZN

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.military.ie/naval-service/fleet/large-patrol-vessel/le-niamh-p-52 Defence Forces Ireland LÉ ''Niamh'' webpage]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312175131/http://www.akeryardsmarine.com/ship_patrol.html Web page from the naval architecture firm that designed IDF LÉ ''Niamh''].
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225654/http://www.appledore-shipbuilders.co.uk/Niamh.htm Appledore's page on ''Niamh'']

{{Róisín offshore patrol vessels}}
{{Irish Naval Service}}
{{Post1945IrishShips}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Niamh (P52)}}
[[Category:2001 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Devon]]
[[Category:Róisín-class offshore patrol vessels]]
[[Category:Naval ships of the Republic of Ireland]]