LÉ Aoibhinn (pennant number P71) is one of two Lake Class Inshore Patrol Vessels purchased from the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 2022. Built by Tenix Defence in the city of Whangarie, New Zealand, as one of four Lake Class Inshore Patrol Vessels, she served with the RNZN as HMNZS Rotoiti from 2009. On arrival in Ireland in mid-2023, a national fit-out took place to standardise her equipment, so far as desirable, with other ships in the fleet. As the fit-out came to completion, the ship began a work-up period, sailing for the first time as an Irish warship on 20 May 2024. The ship was commissioned, along with her sister ship LÉ Gobnait, on 04 Sep 2024, and the work-up period came to a conclusion on 15 Nov 2024, when an operational assessment concluded that the ship was at full operational capability. As an Inshore Patrol Vessel, LÉ Aoibhinn is designed and crewed for operations in coastal areas, and primarily patrols the Irish Sea.
Ship’s Name
The name LÉ Aoibhinn marks a return to the convention of giving Gaelic female forenames to Irish warships, after a break from that tradition for the P60 Beckett class ships. The name itself is variously described as meaning “radiant beauty” or “pale beauty”, and is associated with a state, and form, of grace.
Ship’s Crest
The Ship’s crest shows, in its lower half, a graceful woman cresting the waves of a turbulent sea. In the upper half is the flag of Leinster, indicating the link between the Inshore Patrol Vessels and the coast of that province, off which they operate.
Ship’s Characteristics
Type - Inshore Patrol Vessel
Length - 55m
Beam - 9m
Draught - 2.9m
Main Engines - Two medium speed MAN B7W engines producing 5000Kw (6705hp).
Max Speed - 24kts
Range - 3000NM when cruising at 12kn
Crew - 24 Personnel
Armament - 2 x 12.7mm Browning HMG’s
