Ireland Deploys a Ship in the Mediterranean
THE flagship of the Irish navy has sailed in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea to support Italian search and rescue operations.
The Irish Navy patrol ship, L.É. EITHNE, (P-31) departed from its base in Haulbowline on Saturday (May 16) as reinforcement to the Italian Navy in the search and rescue (SAR) operation Triton (Frontex). Ships from Iceland, Britain, France and Germany are already deployed in the area.
The departure was anticipated after a decision by the Irish Government last week (May 13) and the commitments made at European level, on 20 and 23 April, to commit more resources in sea rescue operations. For Simon Coveney, the Irish Minister for defence, said "response of the Irish Government proves our commitment to contribute to efforts to prevent a new tragedy and loss of life at sea. It is ' a tangible and valuable contribution to help the Italian authorities in the research and humanitarian rescue operation '."
Placed under the command of Pearse O'Donnell, the L.É. EITHNE will remain deployed in the Mediterranean for a period up to six months for the summer period. "Assistance to persons in distress will be done in accordance with the applicable provisions of the international conventions on search and rescue situations," says the Irish navy. That is implementing safe passage into the nearest port.
The vessel is the last built in the Irish shipyards and is the "pinnacle of medium-sized patrol ships with a high capacity and comfort level," boasts one in Dublin. Intended for the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for monitoring fishing or sea rescue patrol, it entered service in December 1984. With a length of 80 meters, it is served by a crew of 55 sailors and technicians and is armed with a Bofors gun of 57mm and 2 cannons Rheinmetall 20 mm, as well as a helicopter.
A graduate of the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and the Irish Defence Forces Command & Staff College, Commander Pearse O'Donnell commanded the ship since August 2014. He was previously Commander of the operations of the Navy and also served in the European operation of stabilization in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea).
Source: Bruxelles2 [Translated from French language]
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