#TrawlerDetained- Naval Service 'flagship' L.É. Eithne (P31)detained a French registered fishing trawler yesterday, approximately 150 nautical miles south off Mizen Head on the Cork coastline.

The detention was in relation to an alleged technical breach of fishing regulations. The vessel was to be escorted and arrive alongside Cobh this morning and handed over to An Gardaí Síochána.

This brings to a total of 804 vessels boarded in 2013 by the Naval Service. There have been 24 warnings issued and this is the 8th vessel detained so far this year.

Now that the L.E. Emer is decommissioned, the former OPV carried out more than 6,000 trawler boardings during her 35 year career. The former naval ship is moored at the Naval Base, Haulbowline. She is to be put up for sale (unless previously sold) later this month.

The naval fleet is reduced to a total of seven patrol vessels. 'Emer's direct replacement, the newbuild PV90 class L.É Samuel Beckett (P61) is expected to be floated-out next month and delivered in February 2015.

#FisheryDetention - Naval Service OPV LE Niamh (P52) has detained a French fishing boat about 30 nautical miles off the coast of Valentia, Co Kerry, reports the Irish Examiner.

The fishing vessel was detained for an alleged under-recording of catch and is to be escorted to Castletownbere, where it is expected to arrive this morning and then handed over to the Gardaí.