Navy stalwart LÉ Emer sails into the sunset

They came to say goodbye to an old lady who served her country faithfully for 35 years, during which time she sailed the equivalent distance to the moon and back.

Many memories came flooding back for former crew members of the LÉ Emer as the national anthem was played and pennants were lowered during its decommissioning ceremony in Cork yesterday. Thousands of people had served on her since she came into service in 1978, including her 23 captains, the last being Lieutenant Commander Alan O’Regan.

The ship carried out many successful operations, including capturing IRA gun-running ship, Marita Anne, in 1984. She was also involved in the search and rescue operation in the aftermath of the Fastnet disaster, which claimed the lives of 15 people in 1979.