LÉ Orla

History
Ireland
Name	LÉ Orla (P41)
Namesake	Orla, a grand niece of Brian Boru
Ordered	1983
Commissioned	3 May 1985
Status	Active Service
General characteristics
Displacement	712 tonnes full load
Length	62.6 m (205 ft)
Beam	10 m (33 ft)
Draught	2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Propulsion	2 diesels, 2 shafts, 10,600 kW (14,188 bhp)
Speed	46.3 km/h (25.0 kn)
Complement	39 (6 Officers and 33 ratings)
Armament	1x76mm OTO Melara Cannon 2 x Rh 202 Rheinmetall 20mm 4x7.62mm GPMG
Armour	Belted Steel

LÉ Orla (P41) is a Peacock-class patrol vessel in the Irish Naval Service. She is the sister ship to LÉ Ciara. They were originally constructed in 1984 for the Royal Navy by Hall Russell, these two vessels, along with three others formed the Peacock Class. Orla was the former HMS Swift (P243) and she passed to the Irish Naval Service in 1988. As HMS Swift, the vessel formed part of the Hong Kong patrol. In late August 2008 LE Orla was operational in Broadhaven bay off the coast of northwest County Mayo to assist maritime policing of Royal Dutch Shell's controversial Corrib gas project.

Specifications

LÉ Orla (P41) has 712 tons displacement, fully loaded, launched in 1984 and bought by the Irish government in 1988. She is powered by two Crossley Pielstick 18 PA6V 280 diesels rated at 14000 hp providing a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 4000 km at 17 knots. She carries a crew of 29, including six officers. She is armed with one 76 mm/62 OTO Melara compact gun; 2 x 20mm Rh202 Rheinmetall weapons and four 7.62 mm machine-guns

Etymology

The ship is named after Orla, a grand niece of Brian Boru. She was murdered by her husband around 1090. The crest shows the arms of Clare on the top segment and a sword and royal collar on the base.

External links

• IDF LÉ Orla webpage