The 'RCC Faire'
The 'RCC Faire' is a Revenue Commissioners Customs Cutter that carries out maritime patrols to prevent drug smuggling and the illegal importation of other illicit goods into Ireland.
The 'Faire' (meaning 'Watch' in Irish) is one of two such boats patrolling Irish territorial waters, the other being the 'RCC Suirbheir (meaning 'Surveyor' in Irish). The 'Faire' is based in Dunlaoighre and covers the east and the north west coasts of the country, while the 'Suirbheir, is located in Kinsale and covers the south and west coasts. For certain operations, the two vessels can be used jointly.
Both boats were built in Finland, the 'Suirbheir' in 2004, and the 'Faire' in 2009 when she was officially commissioned in Howth, Dublin in September of that year.
Both Revenue vessels operate as part of a coordinated task force in which they are assisted by the Irish Naval Service and An Gardai Siochana.
One of the most noteworthy and high profile activiies of the 'Faire' was the arrest and boarding of the 'MV Matthew', a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, in September 2023 off Cork when a large consignment of 2.5 tons of cocaine with a street value of €157 million was found hidden in one of the ship's lifeboats. This operation, which attracted a great deal of international media coverage and official recognition, was assisted by the Irish Naval Service and the Army Rangers Wing operators, a specialist wing of the Irish Defence Forces, who abseiled onto the 'MV Matthew' by helicopters.
A notable feature of these patrol vessels (23 meters in length and with a maximum speed of 25 knots) is their stern slipway which can accommodate a rigid hull inflatable boat. Travelling at a higher speed than the vessels themselves, the inflatables can quickly intercept a suspect boat. Once deployed, the inflatables can then be retrieved back on to the stern slipway at any time, thus making the two patrol vessels highly effective and efficient sea operators.
The 'Faire' has visited Wicklow Port on many occasions during her tenure. Operating normally in stealth mode, her comings and goings are rarely known in advance. On some of her unexpected visits, and based on intelligence received, her crew members boarded and searched boats docked there, but the majority of her searches were random.when no illegal cargo was found. This type of shadow movement by the two patrol vessels is typical of their maritime operations against organised crime.
I was motivated to paint my mural of the 'Faire' by her stylish look which is similar to that of a minature navy ship, and also by her covert mode of operating. I completed the mural on 19th May 2024. The flag of the vessel, incorporated in my mural, is that of the Irish tricolour surrounded by a white band. I am told that the crew members of the 'Faire' are looking forward to viewing the mural on her next unscheduled visit to Wicklow Port!
At present, a new and bigger (35 metre in length) Revenue patrol vessel is being constructed in Spain and should be commissioned in September 2025. Having a larger range and endurance capacity, enabling her to travel further out to sea, this new vessel will replace the 'Suirbheir'. There is also an option for a second such larger vessel, as yet to be confirmed, which will likely replace the 'Faire' in time.
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