asked the Minister for Defence if a minesweeper of the type used in the Naval Service can put to sea in bad weather conditions with force eight gales.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Naval Service Minesweeper.
54.
A coastal minesweeper could put to sea in force eight weather conditions but it would not normally do so.
I am aware that any ship can put to sea in any gale force but could the Minister say what would be the gale force weather in which one of the minesweepers could safely put to sea from Cork?
Gale force is only one of the factors to be taken into account. The condition of the sea and direction of the wind are other factors that must be considered with gale force in determining whether a ship should put to sea or not.
Is it not true that in the south western area of the country with gale force six from a southerly or south westerly direction, one of the minesweepers of this class would be in danger of capsizing?
Gale force is only one factor and, perhaps, a more important one is sea condition which must also be taken into account. These minesweepers have proved to be effective on similar work in another country and there is no reason to suspect that they will not be equally effective here.
The Minister will be aware of a situation that could possibly arise with one of the minesweepers putting to sea in a force four gale which would eventually freshen to a force six or a force eight gale thereby endangering the safety of the vessel and we would have no other vessel with which to put to sea to effect a rescue.
We must leave this decision to the judgment of the Naval Service personnel. In any event, it is unlikely there would be any fishing in the type of weather the Deputy mentioned.
Is the Minister aware that a fishing trawler can fish in a force six gale?
Question No. 55.