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A patrol boat (also referred to as a patrol craft, patrol ship, or patrol vessel) is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defence, border security, or law enforcement. There are many designs for patrol boats, and they generally range in size. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, police, or customs, and may be intended for marine ("blue water"), estuarine ("green water"), or river ("brown water") environments.
Per their name, patrol boats are primarily used to patrol a country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), but they may also be used in other roles, such as anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, fishery patrols, immigration law enforcement, or search and rescue. Depending on the size, organization, and capabilities of a nation's armed forces, the importance of patrol boats may range from minor support vessels that are part of a coast guard, to flagships that make up a majority of a navy's fleet. Their small size and relatively low cost make them one of the most common naval vessels in the world.
Classification
editThe classification of a patrol boat is often subjective, but they are generally small naval vessels that are used to patrol national waters or a certain jurisdiction. They may be as large as a corvette or even a frigate, though the term may also be used for vessels as small as a yacht or rigid inflatable boat. They can include fast attack craft, torpedo boats, and missile boats. They may be broadly classified as inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) or offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). OPVs and medium size cutters are usually the smallest ship in a navy's fleet that are large and seaworthy enough to patrol off-shore in the open ocean, while IPVs are typically too small to do so and are instead kept in lakes or rivers, or close to coasts; IPVs specifically used in rivers can also be called "riverine patrol vessels". Large patrol vessels, Heavy patrol vessels and Large cutters are the largest type of patrol ships and are typically more than 100 m (330 ft) in length.
Seagoing patrol boats are typically around 30 m (100 ft) in length and usually carry a single medium caliber artillery gun as main armament, and a variety of lighter secondary armament such as machine guns, while others include the sophisticated close-in weapon system. Depending on their role, vessels in this class may also have more sophisticated sensors and fire control systems that would enable them to carry torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and surface-to-air missiles.[1]
History
editDuring both World Wars, in order to rapidly build up numbers, all sides created auxiliary patrol boats by arming motorboats and seagoing fishing trawlers with machine guns and obsolete naval weapons. Some modern patrol vessels are still based on fishing and leisure boats.
The United States Navy operated the Pegasus class of armed hydrofoils for years in a patrol boat role. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Navy ordered 193 aluminum hulled Patrol Craft, Fast (PCFs),[2] also known as Swiftboats, for brown water naval operations. The Patrol Boat, River (PBR, sometimes called "Riverine" and "Pibber") was a fiberglass hulled vessel also designed and used for inland river operations during the Vietnam War, and became an icon of water operations during the war due to its use in the 1979 film Apocalypse Now.
Most modern designs are powered by gas turbine arrangements such as CODAG, and speeds are generally in the 25–30 knots (46–56 km/h; 29–35 mph) range. The largest OPVs might also have a flight deck and helicopter embarked. In times of crisis or war, these vessels are expected to support the larger vessels in a navy, though some smaller navies are mostly composed of just patrol boats.
Specific nations
editAlbania
editAlgeria
editArgentina
edit- Mantilla-class patrol vessel
- Z-28-class patrol vessel
- Shaldag-class patrol boat
- Gowind-class vessel
- Murature-class vessel
- Intrépida-class boat
- Zurubí-class patrol boat
- Baradero class patrol boat
- Punta Mogotes class patrol boat
Australia
edit- Attack-class patrol boat (1967–1985)
- Fremantle-class patrol boat (1979–2007)
- Armidale-class patrol boat (2005–present)
- Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – lead ship expected to enter service in 2022
- Bay-class patrol boat (1999–present)
- Australian Customs Vessel Triton (2000–2016)
- Cape-class patrol boat (2013–present) – replaced all but two of the Bay-class which underwent a life extension [3]
Others
edit- Pacific-class patrol boat (1987–2023) – Australian-built, gifted by the Australian Government to 12 Pacific Island countries (RMIS Lomor appears to be the last boat in service as of November 2022)
- Guardian-class patrol boat (2018–present) – Australian-built replacements for the Pacific class, gifted to the same 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste
Bahamas
editBahrain
edit35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships, Commissioned in 2021 [4]
Bangladesh
editThe Bangladesh Navy classified its medium size patrol ships as large patrol craft (LPC) which are armed with either anti-ship missiles or torpedoes. Those ships typically have heavier armaments but less range than OPVs.[5][6]
- Large patrol craft
- Offshore patrol vessel
- Island class
- ARES 150
- Inshore patrol vessel
- ASW patrol boat
- Patrol gunboat
- Offshore patrol vessel
- Inshore patrol vessel
- Fast patrol vessel
- Coastal patrol vessel
- Tawfique class (former PLAN Shanghai II class)
- Riverine patrol craft
- Patrol vessel
Belgium
editBrazil
edit- Grajaú-class offshore patrol vessel
- Bracuí-class patrol vessel – ex-River-class minesweeper
- Imperial Marinheiro-class offshore patrol vessel
- Piratini-class patrol vessel
- J-class patrol vessel
- Roraima-class river patrol vessel
- Pedro Teixeira-class river patrol vessel
- Macaé-class offshore patrol vessel
- Amazonas-class corvette[8][9]
Brunei
edit- Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel
- Ijtihad-class patrol vessel
- KH 27-class patrol boat
- FDB 512-class patrol boat
- Bendaharu-class patrol vessel
- Perwira-class patrol vessel
- Saleha-class patrol vessel
- Pahlawan-class patrol vessel
Bulgaria
editCanada
edit- Kingston-class coastal defence vessel (1996–present)
- Orca-class patrol vessel (2006–present)
- Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel (2016–present) – Icebreakers based on the Norwegian NoCGV Svalbard
Cape Verde
editChile
edit- Pillán-class patrol craft (1979/1980–2001/2002)
- Maule-class patrol craft (1982–2014?)
- Dabur-class patrol boat (1990–present)
- Taitao-class large patrol craft (1993–present)
- Rodman 890-class patrol boat (1996–2017/2020)
- Protector-class patrol craft (1999–present)
- Defender-class boat (2007–present)
- OPV-80-class offshore patrol vessel (2007–present)
- Archangel-class boat (2008–present)
China (PRC)
edit- Harbour security boat (PBI) – four newly built 80-ton class harbour security / patrol boats, and more are planned in order to take over the port security / patrol duties currently performed by the obsolete Shantou, Beihai, Huangpu, and Yulin-class gunboats, which are increasingly being converted to inshore surveying boats and range support boats
- Shanghai III (Type 062I)-class gunboat – 2
- Shanghai II-class gunboat
- Shanghai I (Type 062)-class gunboat – 150+ active and at least 100 in reserve
- Huludao (Type 206)-class gunboat – 8+
- Shantou-class gunboat – less than 25 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Beihai-class gunboat – less than 30 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Huangpu-class gunboat – less than 15 (in reserve, subordinated to naval militia)
- Yulin-class gunboat – less than 40 (being transferred to logistic duties)
- Haixun-class cutter (Type 718)
Colombia
edit- Diligente-class patrol boat
- Nodriza-class patrol boat
- PAF-I-class patrol boat
- PAF-II-class patrol boat
- PAF-III-class patrol boat
- PAF-IV-class patrol boat
- Patrullera Fluvial Ligera-class patrol boat
- Riohacha-class gunboat
- Fassmer-80 class – built in Colombia by COTECMAR
Croatia
editDenmark
edit- Knud Rasmussen-class OPV – 3 vessels
- Diana-class IPV – 6 vessels
- Flyvefisken-class patrol vessel
- Thetis-class OPV – 4 ships (classed as ocean patrol frigates)
- Agdlek-class IPV – 3 vessels
- Barsø-class IPV – 9 vessels (in Danish)
- Hvidbjørnen-class OPV (link in Danish) – 4 ships (classed as ocean patrol frigates)
Ecuador
editEgypt
edit- 35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships
Eritrea
editOthers
editFinland
edit- Kiisla class – formerly Finnish Border Guard, now Finnish Navy
- VMV class
- VL Turva – an offshore patrol vessel built at STX Finland Rauma shipyard in 2014
France
edit- Trident-class patrol boat
- Géranium-class patrol boat
- Jonquille-class patrol boat
- Vedette-class patrol boat
- Pétulante-class patrol craft
- Pavois-class patrol craft
Germany
edit- Potsdam class (2019–present)
- Bad Bramstedt class (2002–present)
- Helgoland class (2009–present)
- PA class (1943–1945)
- R boats (1929–1945)
- Type 139 patrol trawler (1956 to mid-1970s)
Greece
edit- Osprey 55-class gunboats and derivatives HSY-55 and Osprey HSY-56A[11][12]
- Asheville-class gunboats[13]
- Nasty-class coastal patrol vessels – formerly torpedo boats
- Esterel-class coastal patrol vessels
- Sa'ar 4 class[14] – acting as offshore patrol vessels (OPV)
- Stan Patrol 5509 OPV
- Vosper Europatrol 250 Mk1 OPV
- Abeking & Rasmussen patrol vessels – class Dilos
- POB-24G patrol vessels – class Faiakas
- CB90-HCG
- Lambro 57 and derivatives – all being boats for coastal patrols
Honduras
editHong Kong (SARPRC)
editIceland
editIndia
edit- Bangaram-class patrol vessel
- Car Nicobar-class patrol vessel
- Saryu-class patrol vessel
- Sukanya-class patrol vessel
- Trinkat-class patrol vessel
- Aadesh-class patrol vessel
- Rajshree-class patrol vessel
- Rani Abbakka-class patrol vessel
- Samar-class offshore patrol vessel
- Samarth-class offshore patrol vessel
- Sankalp-class offshore patrol vessel
- Sarojini Naidu-class patrol vessel
- Tara Bai-class patrol vessel
- Vikram-class offshore patrol vessel
- Vishwast-class offshore patrol vessel
Indonesia
edit- FPB 28, Indonesian Police and Indonesian Customs, 28 meter long patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
- FPB 38, Indonesian Customs, 38 meter long aluminium patrol boat made by local shipyard PT PAL.
- FPB 57, Indonesian Navy, 57 meter long patrol boat designed by Lurssen and made by PT PAL, ASM and heli deck equipped for some version.
- PC-40, Indonesian Navy, 40 meter long FRP/Aluminum patrol boat, locally made by in house Navy's workshop.
- PC-60 trimaran, Indonesian Navy, 63-meter-long composite material, is armed with 120 km range of anti-ship missile, made by PT Lundin industry
- OPV 80 - 80 meter long, designed by Terafulk and made by PT Citra Shipyard
- OPV 110 (Tanjung Datu-class) - 110 meter long, made by PT Palindo Marine Shipyard
Iraq
edit35m Fast Patrol Vessels- USA -built by Swiftships, during the period 2010–2014 [15]
Ireland
editList of Irish Naval Service vessels;[16]
- Emer-class Offshore Patrol Vessels
- LÉ Deirdre (P20) (1972–2001)
- LÉ Emer (P21) (1978–2013)
- LÉ Aoife (P22) (1979–2015)
- LÉ Aisling (P23) (1980–2016)
- Eithne-class Helicopter Patrol Vessel
- LÉ Eithne (P31) (1984–2022)
- Peacock-class Coastal Patrol Vessels
- LÉ Orla (P41) (1984–2022)
- LÉ Ciara (P42) (1985–2022)
- Róisín-class Offshore Patrol Vessels
- LÉ Róisín (P51) (1999–present)
- LÉ Niamh (P52) (2001–present)
- Samuel Beckett-class Offshore Patrol Vessels
- LÉ Samuel Beckett (P61) (2014–present)
- LÉ James Joyce (P62) (2015–present)
- LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) (2016–present)
- LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) (2018–present)
Israel
edit- Dabur-class patrol boats
- Dvora class fast patrol boat
- Super Dvora Mk II-class patrol boats
- Super Dvora Mk III-class patrol boat
- Shaldag-class patrol boats
- Shaldag Mk II
- Nachshol-class patrol boats (Stingray Interceptor-2000)
Italy
edit- Zara class, (Italian Guardia di Finanza)
- Saettia class, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Diciotti – CP 902 class, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Dattilo-class offshore patrol vessel, (Italian Coast Guard)
- Cassiopea-class patrol vessel, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Cassiopea II class, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Esploratore class, (Italian Marina Militare)
- Comandanti-class patrol vessel, (Italian Marina Militare)
Jamaica
editJapan
edit- Shikishima (Japan Coast Guard), the 2nd largest patrol boat
- Mizuho class (Japan Coast Guard), large patrol vessel with helicopter deck and hangar
- Tsugaru class (Japan Coast Guard), large patrol vessel with helicopter deck and hangar
- Hida class (Japan Coast Guard), high-speed large patrol vessel with helicopter deck
- Kunigami class (Kunisaki class)
- Iwami class
- Hateruma class
- Aso class (Japan Coast Guard), high-speed large patrol vessel
- Amami class (Japan Coast Guard), medium-sized patrol vessel
- Hayabusa class (JMSDF, Japanese Navy), corvette type patrol vessel
- Sōya, (Japan Coast Guard), icebreaker
- Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program (JMSDF, Japanese Navy)
Latvia
edit- Skrunda class, world's first SWATH patrol boat (Latvian Naval Forces)
Malaysia
edit- Kedah class offshore patrol vessel, (Royal Malaysian Navy)
- Keris-class littoral mission ship, (Royal Malaysian Navy)
- Gagah Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Ramunia Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Nusa Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Sipadan Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Rhu Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pengawal Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Peninjau Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pelindung Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Semilang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Penggalang Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Penyelamat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Pengaman Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Kilat Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Malawali Class Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
- Langkawi Class Patrol Ship, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Malta
edit- Protector class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2002–present
- Diciotti class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2005–present
- P21 class inshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2010–present
- Emer class offshore patrol vessel (Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta) – 2015–present
Mexico
edit- Coastal patrol boat
- Offshore patrol vessel
Montenegro
edit- Kotor class frigate
Morocco
edit- OPV-70 class, offshore patrol vessel (Royal Moroccan Navy)
- OPV-64 class, offshore patrol vessel (Royal Moroccan Navy)
Namibia
edit- Grajaú-class offshore patrol vessel
Netherlands
editNew Zealand
edit- Protector OPV (Royal New Zealand Navy) (2008)
- Lake-class inshore patrol vessel (Royal New Zealand Navy) (2008)
- Moa-class patrol boat (Royal New Zealand Navy) (1983–2008)
Nicaragua
editNorway
edit- Barentshav class OPV
- Harstad class OPV
- Nordkapp class OPV
- Nornen class
- Svalbard class icebreaker
- Jan Mayen-class - Planned replacement for the Nordkapp-class
Peru
edit- Río Zarumilla class, Peruvian Coast Guard
- Rio Cañete class, Peruvian Coast Guard
Philippines
edit- Jose Andrada class
- Alberto Navarette-class
- Nestor Acero-class FAIC
- Malvar-class patrol vessel
- Jacinto-class patrol vessel
- HDP-2200 offshore patrol vessel (on order)
- Gregorio del Pilar-class
- Boracay-class patrol boat
- Ilocos Norte-class patrol boat
- Parola-class patrol vessel
- San Juan-class patrol vessel
- Gabriela Silang-class offshore patrol vessel
- Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel
Portugal
edit- Bolina-class
- Levante-class
- Tufão-class
- Calmaria-class
- Bojador-class
- Ribamar-class
- Zodíaco-class
- Mar Creta-class
Qatar
editQatari Emiri Navy
editQatari Ministry of Interior
edit- ARES 75
- ARES 110
- ARES 150
Romania
edit- SNR-17 class patrol boats, Romanian Border Police
- Stefan Cel Mare patrol vessel, Romanian Border Police
Russia
edit- Stenka class patrol boat (Project 02059), Russian Navy and Russian Coast Guard
- Bogomol Class patrol boat (Project 02065), Russian Navy
- Mirage class patrol vessel (Project 14310), Russian Coast Guard
- Svetlyak class patrol boat (Project 10410), Russian Coast Guard
- Ogonek class patrol boat (Project 12130), Russian Coast Guard
- Mangust class patrol boat (Project 12150, Russian Coast Guard
- Sobol class patrol boat (Project 12200), Russian Coast Guard
- Terrier class patrol boat (Project 14170), Russian Navy and Russian Coast Guard
- Rubin class patrol boat (Project 22460), Russian Coast Guard
- Okean class patrol vessel (Project 22100), Russian Coast Guard
- Vosh class river patrol craft (Project 12481), Russian Coast Guard
- Piyavka class river patrol craft (Project 1249), Russian Coast Guard
- Ogonek class river patrol craft (Project 12130), Russian Coast Guard
- Project 22160 patrol ship, Russian Navy large patrol boat
Senegal
edit- Fouladou (OPV 190), Senegalese Navy
- Kedougou (OPV 45), Senegalese Navy
- Ferlo (RPB 33), Senegalese Navy
- Conejera (Class Conejera P 31), Senegalese Navy
- Fouta (Osprey 55), Senegalese Navy
- Njambuur (PR 72), Senegalese Navy
Singapore
edit- Fearless-class patrol vessel, Republic of Singapore Navy
- PK class Interceptor Craft, Police Coast Guard
- 1st Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard (decommissioned)
- 2nd Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard (decommissioned)
- 3rd Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- 4th Generation PT class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- PC class patrol Craft, Police Coast Guard
- Swift-class coastal patrol craft
- Independence-class littoral mission vessel, Republic of Singapore Navy
Slovenia
editSouth Africa
editSouth Korea (ROK)
editSpain
edit- Meteoro class
- Descubierta class
- Serviola class
- Anaga class
- Barceló class
- Toralla class
- Conejera class
- Chilreu class
- P111 class patrol boat
- Cabo Fradera class
Sri Lanka
editSuriname
editSweden
edit- Hugin-class (based on the Norwegian Storm-class, decommissioned) – 16 ships
- Kaparen-class (Hugin-class modified with better subhunting capacity, decommissioned) – 8 ships
- Stockholm-class (commissioned as corvettes, later converted to patrol boats) – 2 ships
- HMS Carlskrona (commissioned as minelayer, later converted to ocean patrol vessel)
Additionally, the Royal Swedish Navy also operates smaller types of patrol boats (Swedish: bevakningsbåt = "guard boat"):
- Typ 60-class (decommissioned) – 17 ships
- Tapper class – 12 ships
The Swedish Coast Guard operate an additional 22 patrol vessels for maritime surveillance.
Thailand
edit- Pattani class (Royal Thai Navy)
- River class (Royal Thai Navy)
- T.991 class (Royal Thai Navy)
- krabi class (Royal Thai Navy)
Trinidad and Tobago
editTurkey
edit- Kılıç II class
- Kılıç I class
- Yıldız class
- Rüzgar class
- Doğan class
- Kartal class
- Türk class
- Tuzla class
- KAAN 15 class
- KAAN 19 class
- KAAN 29 class
- KAAN 33 class
- SAR 33 class
- SAR 35 class
- 80 class
- Corvette
United Kingdom
edit- Kingfisher-class patrol vessel of 1935
- Motor Launch of World War II
- Harbour Defence Motor Launch of World War II
- Bird class patrol vessel
- Ford-class seaward defence boat
- River class patrol vessel
- Castle class patrol vessel
- Archer class patrol vessel
- Island class patrol vessel
- Scimitar class patrol vessel
- UKBF 42m Customs Cutter
- Cutlass-class patrol vessel with the Gibraltar Squadron from 2022
United States
editUnited States Navy
edit- Combatant Craft Medium - (2015–present)
- Cyclone-class patrol ship - (1993–2022)
- Mark VI patrol boat - US Navy (2016–present)
United States Coast Guard
edit- Cyclone-class patrol ship - (2000–2011) - four boats were transferred to the Coast Guard for a temporary loan, three (2004–2011) have since been returned, while the fourth (2000–2004) was donated to the Philippine Navy
- Marine Protector-class patrol boat – (1998–present)
- Island-class patrol boat – (1985–present)
- Sentinel-class cutter – (2012–present)
Venezuela
edit- Venezuelan patrol boat Naiguatá (GC-23)
Vietnam
edit- Type TT-120 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- Type TT-200 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- Type TT-400 patrol boat, Vietnam Coast Guard
- DN 2000(Damen 9014 class) offshore patrol vessels, Vietnam Coast Guard
References
edit- ^ "MK VI Patrol Boats, United States of America". www.naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
- ^ "Special Operations Riverine Craft". Swiftships.
- ^ "Border Force progressing fleet upgrades - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Bahrain Naval Forces Commissions New Patrol Vessels". Naval Post. 14 February 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "Bangladesh and Asia's Maritime Balance". Center for International Maritime Security. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "Tender specifications for construction of 02 X Large Patrol Craft (LPC) in local shipyard for BN" (PDF). Directorate General of Defence Purchase. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ "BDR-Shahjalal – Patrol Vessel – Details and current position IMO 8106472 MMSI 0 | Vessels | VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 2017-04-23.
- ^ "Brazil getting armored vehicles, boats". Space War. Space Media Network. UPI. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2017.
The first-of-class Amazonas was constructed at BAE Systems' Portsmouth facility.
- ^ "Offshore Patrol Vessels". BAE Systems. n.d. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013.
We are supplying three Ocean Patrol Vessels and ancillary support services to the Brazilian Navy, as well as a manufacturing licence to enable further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil. P120 Amazonas, P121 Apa and P122 Araguari
- ^ OOB-31 "Omiš" predan u ruke OS RH (in Croatian)
- ^ "Gunboats Class Osprey 55". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- ^ "Gunboats Class Osprey HSY-55". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- ^ "Gunboats Class Asheville". Hellenic Navy. 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- ^ E.A. Pagotsis (2009). G. Christogiannakis (ed.). Hellenic Defence Report 2009-2010 (Yearbook of the magazine Hellenic Defence & Security). Athens: Line Defence Publications Ltd. p. 81.
- ^ "US Navy Delivers Two More 35 Meter". Navy Recognition. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "Naval Service - Defence Forces". www.military.ie.