Navy crew come to aid of Lee swimmer in distress

Members of the naval service onboard the LÉ Eithne came to the aid of an individual who got into difficulty while swimming in the River Lee today.

Crew members on board the vessel deployed a standby rescue boat into the Lee after spotting the swimmer in distress.

In a post on social media, the Irish Naval Service detailed how their crew arrived to aid the individual “just as the swimmer's strength gave out.” 

The individual was brought ashore where they were interviewed by An Garda Siochana.

Once ashore, the Naval Service said personnel had to go through their PPE doffing and decontamination drills, both for themselves and the boat.

“These procedures were developed and honed during our previous deployments to the Mediterranean,” it said.

The LÉ Eithne is currently in Cork where it has been deployed to assist with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.