Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, an Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the collective effort to save lives in the Mediterranean. L.É. Niamh replaced L.É. Eithne in July 2015 on completion of her deployment. L.É. Niamh has since been replaced by L.É. Samuel Beckett which commenced operations in the Mediterranean on 01 October 2015.
The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea is being provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations. Co-ordination of search and rescue efforts and the provision of humanitarian assistance is being achieved through close co-operation with the relevant Italian authorities.
During her deployment in the Mediterranean, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants. She was replaced in the mission on 18 July by L.É. Niamh which rescued a total of 4,020 migrants during her deployment. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh. L.É. Samuel Beckett, commenced patrolling duties on the waters between Libya and Sicily on 01 October 2015. L.É. Samuel Beckett is the third Irish Naval vessel deployed to the Mediterranean to continue the excellent work undertaken by L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh. To date L.É. Samuel Beckett has rescued 242 migrants.
While the duration of the deployment of L.É. Samuel Beckett is subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis, it is intended that this rotation, up to the end of November 2015, will complete the Naval Service’s participation in the mission.
The success of the operations carried out to date by L.É. Eithne, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett involving the rescue of 7,639 migrants demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland’s participation in this important humanitarian response.