#400plusRescued - A request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre led to LÉ James Joyce rescue a further 278* migrants from a rubber craft 40 nautical miles NW of Tripoli,Libya.

The operation on Friday commenced at 09.57am and concluded at 1.25pm and brings the total number of migrants rescued by LÉ James Joyce to 433*.

LÉ James Joyce was subsequently tasked to rendezvous with the NGO vessel, Luventa, from which a further 163* migrants were transferred to the LÉ James Joyce. LÉ James Joyce was to transfer all 596* rescued migrants to a designated Port of Safety where they will be transferred to the Italian authorities

*Figures for this latest operation are provisional until confirmed by the Italian authorities.

The LÉ James Joyce departed Naval Service Headquarters in Haulbowline, Cork to assist the Italian Authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean on the 2nd of May. The ship’s search and rescue operations began on 8 July. 

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 provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations.