From Military.ie
NAVAL SERVICE FLAGSHIP TO VISIT BELFAST
Date 15th April 2003
The flagship of the Irish Naval Service, L.É. EITHNE will pay an historic visit to Belfast this weekend from Thursday 17th to Tuesday 22nd April 2003. The visit is at the invitation of the Belfast City Council and is part of the Titanic Commemoration, linking the port from which the Titanic was built (Belfast) and her last port of call (Cobh) on her maiden voyage. L.É. EITHNE is commanded by Commander Pat McNulty, from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
The visit marks the first official port call by an Irish Naval Service vessel to Northern Ireland. In addition to the Titanic commemorations, the ship will partake in a number of other events, one of which will be an interactive forum/workshop with Northern Ireland fishermen on matters of mutual interest concerning the fishing industry in the Irish Sea.
L.É. EITHNE was involved in the search and recovery operation for the Kilkeel fishing boat The Tullaghmurry Lass that sank in February 2002 with the tragic loss of three generations of the Greene family. This operation reflected the on-going and ever-increasing cooperation between the emergency and maritime services North and South.
The Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service, Commodore Frank Lynch will join L.É. EITHNE in Belfast and along with the Captain will host a reception for approximately 240 local civic and community leaders on Thursday 17th April 2003. The programme for the visit includes various sporting fixtures, guided tours and exchanges with local associations and organisations.
L.É. EITHNE departs Belfast on Tuesday 22nd April ‘03
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