Samuel Beckett-class

The Samuel Beckett class is a series of four offshore patrol vessels operated by the Irish Naval Service. Designed by Vard Marine Inc. and designated PV90 by the builder, Appledore Shipbuilders, the class was developed to replace the Emer class. The design is an evolution of the Róisín-class PV80, featuring increased hull dimensions intended to improve stability and performance in North Atlantic sea conditions. The Irish Department of Defence signed the initial construction contracts in October 2010.

The vessels incorporate dynamic positioning and "Power Take In" systems, the latter allowing for propulsion via battery storage or smaller auxiliary engines to reduce fuel consumption. Design features include an aft deck configured for sea containers and a crane to support multi-role operations. The class is equipped for undersea exploration and search and recovery tasks, with facilities for remotely operated submersibles and a decompression chamber for divers. The deck layout also provides the capacity to operate unmanned aerial vehicles. Onboard communication is facilitated by Mercury IP systems, which integrate marine radio channels with localized workgroup interfaces.

The lead ship, Samuel Beckett, entered service in May 2014. Subsequent vessels James Joyce and William Butler Yeats followed in 2015 and 2016. An order for a fourth vessel, George Bernard Shaw, was placed in June 2016, with its commissioning taking place in April 2019. The naming of the class represents a departure from the Irish Naval Service tradition of using names from Irish mythology, opting instead for literary figures. While the first three vessels are active, the fourth vessel was placed in reserve in August 2023.