The third and last offshore patrol vessel (OPV) built as part of the Irish Naval Service’s ship replacement programme has been floated for the first time.
LÉ William Butler Yeats, a Samuel Beckett-class OPV, was floated on 10 March at Babcock Marine & Technology’s shipyard in Appledore, England.
The 90m-long vessel has since been towed out of Appledore’s dry dock area and placed at a fitting-out quay where additional equipment will be installed, including the ship’s mast.
An Irish Department of Defence spokesperson told Shephard that fitting out of equipment and installation of the mast will continue while the
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