LÉ Niamh joins Sophia. A first for Ireland
(B2) The Deep Sea Patrol Vessel"LÉ Niamh" (P-52) has joined the European anti-trafficking operation in the Mediterranean EUNAVFOR Med / SOPHIA). The Irish ship, led by the Lieutenant Commander (Commander) Stewart Armstrong, arrived in Augusta on October 16th. The sailors began to learn the intricacies and techniques of the European operation. This is indeed a first for the Irish: their navy is taking part, for the first time, in a European operation (read: Ireland joins Sophia).
Express training
Four officers from EUNAVFOR Med HQ in Rome came specially to the port of Augusta to train the crew of the new unit, officially " focusing on human rights and legal areas ". In fact, according to our information, this passage made it possible to install the various liaison systems (radio and others) with the floating HQ, as well as to perfect and recall the standards of engagement. Spanish Rear Admiral Moreno, who commands the European force at sea, also came to meet the captain and crew and wish them good luck under his command.
A Mediterranean well known to the Irish patrol boat
The area is well known to LÉ Niamh which was deployed in 2015 in the Mediterranean as part of operation PONTUS, a unilateral humanitarian mission carried out under a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Italy, in support of Frontex's Operation Triton. The Irish had particularly distinguished themselves by collecting, alone, nearly 2000 people.
Ireland's latest high seas patrol vessel
Commissioned in 2001, Le Niamh is the Irish Navy's latest "RÓISÍN" class offshore patrol vessel. It is named after Niamh Cínn Ór (Niamh of the Golden Hair 1), a figure in Irish mythology, princess of the Land-of-Eternal-Youth, renowned for her brilliant beauty.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
(1) 'Niamh' is pronounced 'Nive' according to my excellent language advisor Quentin D. 😉