An Irish Naval Service exercise tests the performance of crews in several operations at sea.
The vessels LÉ Deirdre, Grainne and Fola, were joined with by an Irish Air Corps helicopter for the exercises at sea 16 miles off Cork Harbour.
Designed to test the efficiencies and capabilities of the ships and crews in operational conditions.
The LÉ Deirdre, skippered by Lieutenant Commander Joe Deasy, took charge of the operation with the Commanding Officer of the Naval Service Captain Peter Kavanagh on board.
One of the first exercises was to lower a man from a helicopter on to the LE Deirdre while the ship steamed ahead at a speed of 10 knots. The man was then hoisted back off the vessel and into the helicopter.
Inter-ship transfer was put to the test as the minesweeper LÉ Grainne successfully moved alongside the LÉ Deirdre.
Further out at sea and clear of other shipping, the three vessels were tested for their rocket and gun launching capabilities.
From the Deirdre, rockets simulating the target were launched.
The sound of the rockets reverberated across the sea and the shooting was on target. As the weather deteriorated, further planned target practice had to be postponed.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 May 1974. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
