The Naval Service the Irish Examiner understands is preparing to bring back into service its flagship, LÉ Eithne, to carry out Covid-19 virus testing in Cork city.

The vessel has the largest upper deck space (as above) of any of the navy's ships and would be ideal for such an operation.

She was taken off seagoing operations last June, along with coastal patrol vessel, LÉ Orla, due to manpower shortages.

While she was taken off operational duties, she was still maintained and the finishing touches are now being made to equip her to aid the HSE in virus testing.

It is expected that she will shortly tie up at Horgan's Quay, the longest quay in the city. The quayside is expected to be freed-up to provide parking spaces for those seeking testing.

Navy personnel will be trained to carry out the tests by HSE staff.

The reason the navy is being brought in to do the testing is because it acquired a vast amount of experience in medical screening while helping to save 18,000-plus migrants during Operations Sophia and Pontus in the Mediterranean Sea.

It is also used to wearing PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment).

The ships are also self-sufficient. They have onboard sanitary facilities, kitchens, accommodation and water-making facilities.

The Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service, Commodore Michael Malone, addressed his personnel on social media telling them that the public will be looking at them for "assurance and strong leadership".

He said that all non-essential activities in the Defence Forces had been suspended. For more click HERE..

The deployment of the flagship Afloat adds is the third Navy vessel put into such a vital role, LÉ Samuel Beckett went to Dublin followed by LE William Bulter Yeats to Galway yesterday. 

To keep pace of further news click the Naval Service twitter link and overall for the Defence Forces here.