Protecting the coast
A new patrol vessel has spent the past eight weeks conducting sea trials and familiarisation manoeuvres with plans for it to be fully operational in the next few weeks.
Called Cosaint, it’s Revenue’s new customs cutter which was formally named in Kinsale recently. It was commissioned in 2023 and Revenue took delivery of the vessel in August 2025.
The cost of the cutter was €8.75m (plus VAT), which was funded by the Exchequer and a grant from OLAF (the European Anti-Fraud Office) from the EU Anti-Fraud Programme.
Cosaint will be operated by Revenue’s specialised Maritime Unit, which is responsible for monitoring and patrolling Ireland’s 3,173 kilometres of coastline.
It will replace Suirbhéir, which has been in service since 2004 and will be retired from active duty in the coming weeks. Cosaint will join Faire as part of the Revenue fleet.
Chairman Niall Cody, said: “Our enforcement teams have achieved exceptional results in recent years. Since January 2023 they have made more than 35,000 seizures of illegal drugs, amounting to 110 tonnes, and with an estimated value of over €650 million. The procurement of this new Customs cutter is a clear demonstration of Revenue, and the Irish State’s, ongoing commitment to targeting illicit trade, smuggling and organised crime in the maritime domain.”
Commissioner Maura Kiely added: “The record breaking results our enforcement teams have achieved are a testament to their hard work and dedication. Today we acknowledge their skills and courage, particularly that of our Maritime Unit who crew the cutters and operate in challenging and difficult environments. The strategic working relationships our teams have with other national and international law enforcement agencies, including our Joint Task Force partners, is another key element in the successes we have achieved in our fight against drug trafficking.”
Cosaint has been specifically designed to support complex maritime enforcement operations. It is 35 metres long and has a gross tonnage of 204 tonnes.
It has a range of more than 750 nautical miles and a top speed of 18 knots. The cutter is highly manoeuvrable and will significantly enhance the ability of Revenue’s Maritime Unit to undertake effective patrol duties and combat smuggling, thereby protecting the customs territory and external borders of the European Union.
Revenue worked with Armon Group in Spain to deliver the new cutter.
Ricardo Garcia, Commercial Director of Armon Group, said: “(This) event marked the culmination of several years of rigorous planning, construction and sea trials. We are proud to have worked with Revenue to deliver Cosaint on budget and ahead of schedule. Cosaint is equipped with highly sophisticated navigational and surveillance systems, which will greatly enhance Revenue’s capacity to carry out effective interventions. This next generation of cutter will also enable Revenue to carry out its essential frontier controls in an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable manner.”
Cosaint means protection, whilst Faire was named after the former customs grade of watcher.