Ireland sends ship to Mediterranean

20th May 201521th May 2015 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(B2) The flagship of the Irish Navy is heading for the Mediterranean.

Le LE EITHNE (P-31) has indeed left its base in Haulbowline Saturday (May 16), to support the Italian Navy in search and rescue (SAR) operations, in addition of Operation Triton (Frontex). Icelandic, British, French and German ships are already deployed in the area, some within the framework of Frontex, others under direct bilateral arrangements with the Italian government. This last option is the one chosen by Ireland (1).

This planned departure was anticipated after a decision by the Irish government taken last week (May 13) and the commitments made at European level, on April 20 and 23, to commit more resources to rescue operations at sea. To Simon Coveney, the Irish Defense Minister, cthis “ Irish government's swift response demonstrates our commitment to help efforts to prevent further tragedy and loss of life at sea ". This is « a tangible and valuable contribution to assisting the Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operation.”

Placed under the command of Pearse O'Donnell, the LE EITHNE will stay deployed in the Mediterranean for a period of up to six months covering the summer period (NB: which is the most risky in terms of passage). " Assistance to persons in distress will be provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions on search and rescue situations. » specifies the Irish navy. That is to say, safety in the nearest port.

This ship is the last built in Irish shipyards and is the " pinnacle of medium patrol vessel size with a high degree of capability and comfort » they boast in Dublin. Intended to patrol the Irish exclusive economic zone for fishing surveillance or sea rescue, 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 57mm Bofors cannon and 2 cannons Rheinmetall 20mm, as well as a helicopter.

A graduate of the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and the Irish Defense Forces Command & Staff College, Commander Pearse O'Donnell has commanded the ship since August 2014. He was previously Naval Operations Commander and also served in the European operation Stabilization Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea)

(NGV)

(1) Ireland only participates in certain limited Schengen area policies – by virtue of an opt-out/opt-in (generalized exception with the possibility of voluntarily participating in certain policies, with the agreement of others Member States)