LE JAMES JOYCE

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Patrol boat saved single hand sailor

One yachtsman has been rescued by the "LÉ James Joyce" from a yacht that was taking on water. The 26-year-old Irish man issued a mayday alert after his navigation equipment failed and his vessel began to take on water and sink. The operation took place 16 nautical miles south east of Roches Point in Cork Harbour in difficult sea conditions in the evening of Feb 9, 2017. The "LÉ James Joyce", while on a Maritime Security and Defence Patrol, responded to a request from Mine Head Coast Guard Station at 4.20 p.m. Once on scene, she located a yacht taking on water, launched a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and rescued an Irish National from the yacht. The single hand sailor was taken on-board the RHIB and was subsequently winched to Coast Guard Rescue 117. The man was then airlifted to Cork Airport by a rescue helicopter from the Waterford Coast Guard and taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was treated for mild hypothermia. The operation was complete at 6.30 p.m. and the "LÉ James Joyce" resumed its patrol. Report with photos: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dramatic-pictures-show-how-man-26-was-dramatically-rescued-from-sinking-boat-35438577.html

James Joyce rescued 265 people, five dead

The "LÉ James Joyce" recovered five bodies, including that of a heavily pregnant woman, while carrying out a search-and-rescue mission off the coast of Libya on Sep 14. It also rescued 265 people 32 nautical miles northwest of Tripoli following a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre. At 9.20 a.m. the "LÉ James Joyce" initially rescued the 106 migrants on board the first vessel before moving to a second vessel which contained 164 migrants, including several people that were in need of urgent medical attention. Those people in need of medical attention were immediately taken to the "LÉ James Joyce" for treatment by both Defence Forces medical personnel and the Red Cross. One male and four female migrants, one of whom was heavily pregnant, were pronounced dead. The other migrants were cared for on board the ship, and receiving food, water and medical treatment where required. All were to be transferred, along with the deceased, to the Italian Navy ITS "Bersagliere", which will then transfer them to a designated port of safety.

Patrol boat rescued 423 distressed migrants

The "LÉ James Joyce" rescued 423 migrants from 18 boats about 40 miles north-west of Tripoli on Sep 10, 2016. The rescue operation lasted over five hours. The rescued migrants were given water and medical treatment. The migrants were later transferred to another vessel to free up the patrol boat for other rescue operations. The complex rescues began at 8.40 a.m., with the final migrant helped on board just before 2 p.m. The crew was working alongside five other NGO vessels.