NAVAL UNITS GEAR UP FOR CRACKDOWN ON DRUGS GANGS

Armed naval units are to be trained by garda forensic teams as part of
a crackdown on the illegal transportation of drugs in Irish waters.

Members of the Naval Service will be trained in crime scene
preservation techniques, arrest procedures and suspects’ rights as
part of a multi faceted, coastal protection role.

Naval officers in charge of boarding parties have already visited the
garda training centre in Tullamore, and members of the gardai and
customs officers have been briefed at Naval Service headquarters in
Cork Harbour.

With drug interdiction playing an increasing part in coastal security,
the importance of gathering evidence to secure convictions in the
courts is crucial, said Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service,
Commodore John Kavanagh.

"The role of the Naval Service has always been multi faceted and has
become even more diverse in the past three or four years.

"Drug seizures and armed boardings are now a large part of our
operation and we are working closely with gardai and customs.

"A number of our officers have undergone specialised training in
correct arrest procedures, evidence gathering and crime scene
preservation."

In 1990, the number of boardings of fishing vessels by the Naval
Service was 450. Last year that figure rose to over 1,400, with
predictions for this year set to top 1,600.

Search missions onboard vessels suspected of carrying illegal weapons
and drugs has also increased, posing a new challenge, but also new
dangers, for naval units.

Sub Lieut Mick Kenneally, co-ordinating officer in charge of armed
boarding parties, says his men have to be ready for all
eventualities.

"The vast majority of vessels carrying drugs are also carrying guns
and the people in charge of these boats are usually heavily armed. We
have to be prepared to safely board these vessels, possibly under
fire, and take control of the vessel."

The precision training required for such dangerous operations was just
one of a number of exercises undertaken by the Naval Service off the
south coast over the past three days.

Six ships, the L.E. Ciara, L.E. Orla, L.E. Aoife, L.E. Eithne, L.E.
Emer and the L.E. Deirdre, from the navy’s seven strong fleet, took to
the seas.

Code named Operation New Horizon, the annual drill included live
firings using the ship’s secondary armament, towing operations, fire
fighting, medical evacuations and fleet maneuvering at close quarters.

Under the control of Commander Rory Costello and his staff on board
the Flag Ship L.E. Eithne, the three day operation put the navy
through it paces in rough seas.

Commanding Officer of the Naval Service, Commodore John Kavanagh was
accompanied during the exercise by Defence Forces Deputy Chief of
Staff, Major General William Dwyer and members of the garda and
Customs and Excise drugs units.

With the L.E. Eithne leading the way, the six ships also used their
heavy weapons on Tuesday, firing in formation at a target buoy ten
miles off the Old Head of Kinsale.

Armed boarding parties, on board two 16ft Seariders were also deployed
at sea as part of a simulated raid on a vessel suspected of carrying
illegal drugs and arms. Twelve seamen, armed with machine guns,
pistols and batons boarded the target craft after a high speed chase
involving five ships from the navy’s fleet.

Other exercises included fire drills, medical evacuations and damage
control in the event of a serious incident.

The annual gathering of the fleet is designed to test the ships
ability to operate under pressure, said Commodore John Kavanagh.

"The primary function of the navy is ship protection, but we are also
called to deal with a number of other tasks, including armed and
unarmed boardings, coming to the aid of disabled ships, search of
vessels and pollution control.

"For the majority of the year we operate individually, often 200 miles
off shore, and it is important we get the opportunity to train as a
unit."

The delivery of the Naval Service’s purpose built ship, the L.E.
Roisin, in September will enable the navy to further exercise its
powers in Irish waters, said the Commodore.

"Within the twelve mile radius, the navy is very much an extension of
the civil authority, working closely with gardai, the air corps and
customs officers. Within the 200 mile radius we protect the resources
of the EU.

"The delivery of the L.E. Roisin next month will increase our capacity
to carry out this multi faceted role. We have to have laws at land and
at sea, and in that respect the navy is very good value for money," he
said.