Another NATO Warship in Cork
cork |
anti-war / imperialism |
news report 
Sunday October 19, 2008 11:15
by John Jefferies - Cork Warship Watch
For the second time in just over a month Cork Port has been visited by a warship of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), in breach of Irish neutrality.
The Danish patrol vessel HDMS Vaedderen is currently tied up at Custom House Quay in Cork City centre and will remain there until Tuesday morning, 21st October.
HDMS Vaedderen is a Thetis Class ocean patrol vessel which is tasked with maintaining Denmark's sovereignty over the Faroe Islands and Greenland (at least someone defends their sovereignty but you'd wonder where a visit to Cork comes into that role).
Vaedderen (which means The Ram in English), came into service in 1992. At 3,500 tons it is twice the size of the largest Irish naval vessel LÉ Eithne. It is also well armed and after a refit two years ago is fitted with the most up-to-date communications systems. It is also fitted with a single Melara 76mm cannon up front, Stinger missile launchers, 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns, 2 x 7.62mm light machine guns and a rack of depth charges. In addition the Vaedderen also carries a Lynx helicopter and can carry a second chopper on deck if the first is held in the hangar.
This adds to the growing list of foreign (predominantly NATO) warships who are now using Cork harbour.
Photo shows helicopter hangar and landing pad at ship's stern