Ireland will send its Offshore Patrol Vessel L.É. SAMUEL BECKETT to lend a helping hand to the Mediterranean Sea migrant search and rescue operations.
The vessel will depart today, September 24.
The Irish Naval Service has saved over 7000 people since it deployed to the Mediterranean on the 16th of May. This is the third such deployment.
Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Geraghty, the 59 sailors of the L.É SAMUEL BECKETT, augmented by 2 medics, 1 from the Army and 1 from the Air Corps, have been preparing the ship for an extended deployment since receiving notice to sail. This is the third Naval Service deployment to the Mediterranean under OPERATION PONTUS, with the L.É SAMUEL BECKETT replacing the L.É NIAMH that previously deployed on the 10th of July.
The LÉ SAMUEL BECKETT will provide a search and rescue capability and will undertake humanitarian operations in cooperation with the Italian Authorities. Assistance to persons in distress at sea will be provided in accordance with the provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations.
Image: Irish Defence Forces