COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION AND OTHERS

name: Olan O’Keeffe
From : Cobh, Co. Cork
Rank : Lieutenant
Age : 31
Appointment: Fisheries and Communications Officer
Comment: The work performed by the crewmembers with Task Brazil in Casa Jimmy in Rio, Epsom College farm on the outskirts and with the Missionaries in Fortaleza was a very valuable experience, which was both an eye opener and memorable for all involved. Also a great crew onboard.
Hobbies: Hill walking and outdoor activities and councillor to Comms Division.
Captain: Olan is the most experienced watchkeeper onboard having served on tankers with the merchant navy. His attention to detail and the thoroughness of his briefs helped ensured timely and appropriate decision-making. His razor sharp sense of humour is not something to fall foul off.

NAME: Sean Newstead
From : Coachford Village, Co. Cork
Rank : Chief Petty Officer
Age : 36
Appointment: Radio Radar Technician and Divisional Head of Department
Comment: A once in a lifetime experience to visit S.America and witness different cultures, food & drink while onboard the “best little flagship in the world”. I also hold the ships record for getting my face and big nose burnt in the sun the most times, I spent most of the trip lit up like a lighthouse.
Hobbies: Canoeing, Scuba + skydiving, Art, and travelling.
Captain : Sean worked extremely hard in the lead up and during the deployment ensuring that all the navigation and communication equipment was in full operational order prior to departing Cork, a reliable, intelligent and gentle shipmate, always keen to be involved in activities onboard.

NAME: Greg Hamilton
From : Cobh, Co. Cork
Rank : Petty Officer
Age : 34
Appointment: Communications Operator and CommOps Divisional NCO
Comment: My highlights of the trip were Buenos Aires –  Boca Juniors football match and day tour to San Antonio de Areca in the company of Mr. Kevin Farrell (President of the Irish Association) and a true gentleman who gave us a day to remember. Montevideo – The laid back and friendly atmosphere on the streets. Rio – Being part of the team that made a lot of underprivileged street kids smile and enjoy their visit onboard. St. Patrick’s day, off duty, on Copacabana beach and the scenery in Rio, in particular, the views From Corcovado can only be described as breathtaking. To have stood touching and looking up at the Corcovado Sculpture was a dream as well as getting a haircut, facial and manicure in the local barbershop was superb. 
Hobbies: Soccer, chess, and now darts thanks to Sammy’s tournaments. 
Captain : Greg is the Divisional NCO of the Comms Branch onboard and runs an efficient and dedicated team of young men and women. Greg is also the ship’s photographer and showed an eye for this talent over the past 2 months. 

NAME: Martin McGuckin
From : Navan, Co. Meath, now living in Douglas, Co. Cork
Rank : Leading Comm Op
Age : 46
Appointment: Communications Operator
Comment: A great experience and a journey worth making.
Hobbies: Walking, reading, cycling, philosophy and gardening
Captain : Martin is one of the quieter members of the ship’s company and enjoyed his experiences in South America. A gentleman who can relied upon to give it his best.

NAME: Mark Ansbro
From : Youghal, Co. Cork
Rank : Leading CommOp
Age : 31
Appointment: Communications Operator
Comment: Superb trip, thoroughly enjoyed every minute, my highlights were Rio de Janeiro, Copacobano beach and the scenery From Corcovado over the city was magnificent. I also enjoyed some really enjoyable sessions with the Argentinean Musicians. Being the founding member of the band HERCULES. (.Probably the best little band in the world) was the pinnacle of my career. 10/10
Hobbies: Musician, keyboards, accordion, guitar, piano,  and golf (h/cap 10). 
Captain : Mark joined the ship having volunteered and transferred From another patrol vessel. Mark did wonders with his musical talent and was one of the reasons why our receptions were so well received in the ports we visited. Well done Mark a fine musician and shipmate. I am sorry we can’t press gang you!

NAME: Tommy Browne
From : Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin, now living in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork
Rank : Able CommOp
Age : 23
Appointment: Communications Operator
Comment: A great opportunity to visit S.America and to see the different cultures.
Also an opportunity to witness first hand some of the poverty that exists in the world, which we don’t see, back home. It made me realize that some of the everyday simple things that we take for granted in Ireland would be considered a luxury in some of the poorer areas we visited. Overall a memorable trip for both good and bad reasons, bad being some of the more disturbing things we witnessed and learned. It made me realise how much I was pampered at home and I can’t wait to get back to Mrs Browne since I’m her special little boy.
Hobbies: Football, music, socialising, travelling, playing computer, reading.
Captain : Tommy is always cheerful and his two man act with Seaman Mc Carthy has to be seen. They were always willing to perform the mime and dance routine for the children who visited, always in great form with a positive word to say to his mess mates each day.

NAME: John Patterson
From : Cobh, Co. Cork
Rank : Communications Operative
Age : 23
Appointment: Communications Operator
Comment: A great experience for me, it gave me the chance to see things I would probably never see if I wasn’t in the Navy for the last year and a half. Things like the Statue of Christ in Rio and the way poverty and wealth almost lives side by side in some S.American countries. It also gave me the chance to experience different foods and drinks. From being on this deployment I think I have learned more about life at sea and how to get on well with people. I think we have a very good and strong and handsome crew in the Comcen, which you need on a deployment as long as this one for it to be a success, which it was. (Probably the best little Comcen in the world)
Hobbies: Football, reading.
Captain John is a fine soccer player and represented the ship during our soccer matches in Argentina, John enjoyed his trip to South America and like all the ship’s company will be looking forward to getting home to family and friends on Friday.

NAME: Tracie Wilkes
From : Leixlip, Co. Kildare, now living in Carrigaline, Co. Cork (says she’s a Dub thru and thr))
Rank : Ordinary CommOp
Age : 21
Appointment: Communications Operator
Comment: I have many highlights of this deployment, work wise was the time we spent working with the street children in the Task Brazil Project. To make a difference in a child’s life is a very special experience and it makes all the crews hard work worthwhile. 
Hobbies: Soccer, Swimming, and Reading GAA magazines.
Captain : Tracie is the youngest member of the Comms Division and joined Eithne in November but keeps the lads in check nonetheless. She worked very hard when involved in the Rio Street Children Task Brazil project on Epsom College Farm. 

NAME: Gerard Fealy
From : Cobh, Co. Cork
Rank : Ordinary Technician Trainee
Age : 25
Appointment: Tech. Trainee Radio Radar Technician
Comment: Overall I thought the trip was a great experience. My highlight of the trip was seeing my Dad (Sammy) receiving the “Sailor of the Deployment” award and he so deserves it as he’s the best little SPO in the world.
Hobbies: Soccer, Golf, Reading and Socialising.
Captain : Gerard joined us for on the job training as part of the trainee technician scheme. A fine soccer player and all rounder, it was unique to have father and son onboard, a chip off the old block..

NAME: Kieran Carr.
AGE: 28.
RANK: Sub Lieutentant
From: Tipperary.
JOB: Gunnery Officer.
HOBBIES: Sports, Music, Travelling.
COMMENTS: In my 8 years in the Naval Service this deployment stands out as one of the top highlights of my career to date. Deployments of this scope do not occur very often, and I was delighted to be a part of it. The opportunity to see South America in such a unique way, is something most people will never be in a position to do. It gave me great satisfaction to be able to do something for the less fortunate than myself in the form of the humanitarian services we provided in particular to under privileged children. The memories of the trip will remain with me for many years to come.
CAPTAIN: Kieran has looked after our fitness throughout the deployment, a very valuable member of the ship’s company. His patience and strength are a perfect combination for lead member of our boarding teams.

NAME: Sean Lenihan
AGE: 23
From: Cork
JOB: Officer Under Training
HOBBIES: Fishing, Soccer, Shooting.
COMMENTS: One of the highlights of the trip for me was helping under privileged children in Rio. Also I would have to say that the goal I scored against the Argentines in the soccer game we played was legendry
CAPTAIN: Sean is a man of many talents. An expert painter, a great barber, a good dancer, an fluent Irish Speaker and a fine watchkeeper.

NAME: James Harding
AGE: 21
From: Cork
JOB: Officer Under Training
HOBBIES: Rugby, Music, Amateur Dramatics.
COMMENTS: The part of the trip I will remember most is the trip we took up the Parana River in order to install a generator to bring electricity to a school for the first time. Also the Rugby game we played in Uraguay was a great opportunity to meet new people.

CAPTAIN: James is a great athlete, hard worker, lovely personality and good watchkeeper – thanks James.

NAME: Bill Tyson
AGE: 42
RANK: Civilian
From: Dublin
JOB: Producer Timesnap (Civilian Documentary Team)
HOBBIES: Sailing, golf, salsa
COMMENTS: A great experience the highlight of which was working with the Irish Navy on Epsom Farm with the Rio De Janeiro Street Children project and Task Brazil.. Being accepted as if I was a member of the ship’s company on the “Best little flagship in the world”.
CAPTAIN: As much a member of the team as anyone else. Like Declan, was willing to take a big risk to get a great story.

NAME: Declan Cassidy
AGE: 38
RANK: Civilian
From: Dublin
JOB: Director Timesnap (Civilian Documentary Team)
HOBBIES: Music, golf, cooking
COMMENTS: The experience of being at sea for long periods without getting seasick is new. The trip up the PARANA river and seeing the delight in the staff and children when they had electric power installed by the Irish Navy in their school in the middle of nowhere. Santana in Rio were amazing!
CAPTAIN: Like Bill took a big risk to film a great story – Declan I know you and Bill will do it justice.

NAME: Aedh McGinn
AGE: 32
RANK: Lieutentant Commander
From: Cork
JOB Executive Officer
HOBBIES: Rugby, Hurling, Finding work for James and Sean.
COMMENTS: Our day out at Old Christians RFC was the highlight of my deployment. Meeting all the visitors to the ship and playing rugby in sweltering conditions also stand out for me.
CAPTAIN: A great officer who vents his frustration on his own in his cabin and comes back calm and collect for the next hair brain idea – Aedh thanks for making it happen.

NAME: Anthony Heery
AGE: 41
RANK: Lieutentant Commander
From: Westmeath
JOB: Engineering Officer
HOBBIES: DIY GAA Gardening
COMMENTS: Getting the ship to South America and back again without any technical problems is very satisfying as is the fact that everybody is back home safely. The whole trip was very memorable but in particular I was impressed with the friendliness and good nature of the South Americans.
CAPTAIN: A great engineer, a gentleman and a friend.

NAME: Mark Mellett
AGE: 47
RANK: Commander
From: Mayo
JOB: Officer Commanding
HOBBIES: Running and weights.
COMMENTS: I have a great team.