LÉ Niamh rescues 256 more migrants

In her second operation in just 24 hours LÉ Niamh rescued a further 256 migrants off the cost of Libya, bringing to 3,691 the total rescued to date by the Naval Service in the Mediterranean Sea.

Yesterday’s operation involved the ship taking the 235 men, 13 women and eight children from a wooden barge which was located some 56 miles north-east of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

They were taken off the unseaworthy barge by boarding teams sent from the ship on RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats).

The recovery operation was completed at approximately 4pm and once safely back on LE Niamh the migrants were searched by security personnel and then medically assessed by members of the 57-strong crew, which includes two Army medics.

On Sunday, in her first operation since leaving Haulbowline to replace the LÉ Eithne, the crew of LÉ Niamh rescued 98 migrants who were crammed into a leaking inflatable rubber raft which was around 70 miles north-west of Tripoli.

As before the migrants were picked up in navy RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) and taken back to the ship.

Again those rescued from the vessel were predominently men (78), along with 18 women and two children.

No sooner had the crew got all the migrants onboard than they were called to another incident 18km nearer shore.

This time the Italian patrol vessel ITS Sirio took 250 migrants from various unseaworthy vessels. LÉ Niamh, which was on standby if needed, then transferred her 98 migrants to the Italian ship.

As she is somewhat smaller than the navy’s flagship, LÉ Eithne, she doesn’t have the same capacity to hold migrants.

The ship, captained by Lieutenant Commander Danial Wall, also has a smaller crew which means it will take longer to rescue and look after migrants.

LÉ Niamh was last night on standby for more action, especially as sea conditions in the Mediterranean are currently very good and it is expected that people-traffickers will try and exploit this.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has said the Government is committed to having the Naval Service remain on the EU-led humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea until September at the least.

He said that if weather conditions remain good at that stage the Government will renew its commitment.