L.É. Emer Sold for €320,000

The recently decommissioned L.É. Emer was sold at auction.

The former Irish Naval Service vessel known as the L.É. Emer, was sold at auction in Carrigaline Co. Cork by Dominic Daly Auctioneers. Less than a month after her decommissioning service in Cork, she was sold to a Nigerian businessman for €320,000. London-based Cyprian Imobhio, chief executive and managing director of Uniglobe Group, bought the vessel, stripped of her armaments, for what he regarded as a good price. Mr. Imobhio plans to upgrade the 35 year old vessel in Cork before binging her to a dock in London. Mr. Imobhio said, “It’s a beautiful boat. Navies are very meticulous organisations and they always keep their equipment well maintained - it was quite well looked after for its age, but it’s still 35 years old, so there are a few things that need to be done - plus there are a few issues of classification.” He suggested that the ship might be used for protecting oil company infrastructure working in the Niger Delta. The L.É. Emer will be replaced next spring by the €50m L.É. Samuel Beckett, currently being constructed in Appledore, Devon.