LE Samuel Beckett arrives home from sea

The LE Samuel Beckett has returned home, after rescuing 1,088 people from the Mediterranean Sea.

The family and friends of 58 sailors gathered at Haulbowline in Co. Cork, to welcome their loved ones home.

As the LE Samuel Beckett sailed into view in Cork Harbour, excitement grew for the family and friends of those on board.

It’s been a long three months for many of those gathered, like Vicky Bowdran who brought a crew to welcome her partner home and like many family members, they had a big welcome sign.

Arriving on home soil, the feeling for James Walsh was mutual, but he admits the mission was tough.

The LE Samuel Beckett was involved in five major search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, resulting in the rescue of 1,088 people.

Charles O’Sullivan sums up the mood of the ship’s company at their success; “Incredible, the feeling you get when you see the kid’s faces and their mothers and fathers coming on board and they know they are safe and on board, you can’t describe the feeling, I’ll never forget it,”