LÉ William Butler Yeats

William Butler Yeats at Haulbowline, July 2016
History
Ireland
NameWilliam Butler Yeats
NamesakeW. B. Yeats, Irish poet
BuilderBabcock Marine Appledore, North Devon
Cost€71 million
Launched10 March 2016
Sponsored byCaitriona Yeats
Christened17 October 2016
Commissioned17 October 2016
Identification
StatusIn active service
General characteristics
Class & typeSamuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel
Displacement2,256 tonnes
Length90.00 m (295.28 ft)
Beam14.00 m (45.93 ft)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi)
Armament

William Butler Yeats (P63) is a Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel of the Irish Naval Service. Named after poet W. B. Yeats, the ship is the third in a series of vessels designed by Vard Marine and built by Babcock Marine Appledore. The ship was floated out of the shipyard in March 2016, started trials in July 2016, and arrived at Haulbowline naval base in late July 2016. The ship was formally commissioned in a ceremony in Galway on 17 October 2016. During the ceremony, it was officially named by a granddaughter of the poet, Caitriona Yeats.