Irish vessel the LE Eithne is docking in a port in Italy, with 399 migrants on board rescued from the Mediterranean over the weekend.

The 280 men, 78 women and 41 children were rescued by the Irish boat during two operations.

In total, the LE Eithne has picked up more than 1,000 migrants so far.

On Friday, the navy vessel located 113 migrants 40km north of Tripoli in Libya and safely transferred them onto a waiting ship.

The operation marked the fifth successful operation since they left Irish shores on the May 16th.

The mission is due to last 10 weeks.

It is understood the 399 people picked up over the weekend will be handed over to the Italian authorities.

Italian, German and British ships have also been involved in the rescue missions - with 20 boats said to have been intercepted altogether, including several rubber dinghies.

The Italian coastguard says it has coordinated the rescue of more than 3,300 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

Commander Brian Fitzgerald of Naval Headquarters told Newstalk Breakfast while the Irish vessel is at capacity, those onboard are comfortable.