Displaying items by tag: Med Migrant Crisis

28th February 2018

Irish Naval Service Pair to Join Mediterranean Migrant Rescue

The Irish Naval Service OPV LÉ Niamh which between October and December last directly rescued 613 people and helped other ships to rescue 107 more

#Navy - It is expected the Government is to announce next Tuesday to agree to send two Naval Service ships to the Mediterranean in an effort to help the European Union’s mission to rescue migrants and reduce people-smuggling .

If the Cabinet memo from Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe is approved, writes The Irish Times, two Irish Naval ships will spend two separate, consecutive 16-week missions between Italy and Libya from April until year’s end.

The operation in the Mediterranean – Operation Sophia – began in April 2015. Known formally as the European Union Naval Force Mediterranean, it sought to disrupt Libyan-based people-smugglers.

Following the drownings of hundreds of refugee migrants after the sinking of unseaworthy boats and ribs, the mission’s scope was extended, including the rescue of migrants.

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26th June 2017

Naval Service Rescues Over 180 Refugees in the Mediterranean

At the scene of the rescue operation, LE Eithne off the coast of Libya

#Refugees - LÉ Eithne of the Irish Naval Service writes the Journal.ie has rescued approximately 183 people yesterday (25 June) in the Mediterranean Sea, just north of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

While on patrol at around 6 am, the LÉ Eithne located and rescued 113 refugees from an inflatable craft 40km north-west of Tripoli.

The crew on the ship then identified another craft in distress, and a second rescue operation was launched.

A further 70 people were rescued from this boat.

There are currently 183 on board the LÉ Eithne and the Irish vessel is enroute to assist in another rescue operation in the region.

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15th May 2017

Call for Government 'Clarity' on Naval Service Migrant Rescues

LÉ Niamh had informed the Italian coastguard it was too dangerous to proceed to the vessel as it was too close to the Libyan coast, according to extracts of recordings cited in evidence during a trial in Palermo, Sicily.

#DeploymentDelays - Tensions between a Naval Service patrol ship and the Italian coastguard writes The Irish Times, have emerged during a trial of three Libyan men accused of people trafficking in the Mediterranean.

The exchanges have led to a call for “clarity” from Government for future Irish rescue missions.

The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) Ireland called on the Minister for Defence to “provide the Naval Service with the operational clarity it needs to carry out rescue missions swiftly and without hesitation”.

The Naval Service has so far saved 15,621 lives since deployment of ships to the Mediterranean in May 2015 under a bilateral arrangement with Italy.

As previously reported on Afloat, LÉ Eithne was ready to return to the Mediterranean on May 1st this year, is awaiting Government approval to sail south.

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17th June 2016

LÉ Róisín Rescues Migrants And Recovers Two Bodies

Migrants transfer from a RIB to board LE Roisin yesterday

#Rescue&Recovery - OPV LÉ Róisín has carried out a search and rescue (SAR) that located 111 migrants from a long rubber vessel almost 40nm north-west off Tripoli, the Libyan capital. Unfortunately, two deceased female migrants were recovered as part of a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

The Naval Service rescue commenced at 06.50am and all migrants were on board by 09.40am and have received food, water and medical treatment where required.

The LÉ Róisín proceeded towards the Port of Lampedusa for the transfer of migrants to the Italian authorities.

Not including this latest task, LÉ Róisín has rescued 782 people since the OPV was deployed on SAR operations on 11 May.

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.