HMS MEDWAY TO VISIT THE BVI NEXT FRIDAY TO ASSIST WITH DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

By

RFA ARGUS AND HMS MEDWAY MEET UP IN THE CARIBBEAN Pictured: HMS Medway in the Caribbean Sea as part of the Atlantic Patrol Task group working alongside with RFA Argus. RFA Argus has met up with HMS Medway again in the Caribbean Sea, to conduct a photography exercise as the ships practiced manoeuvres. Both ships are part of Atlantic Patrol Tasking North and will help if hurricanes or disasters happen in the future. RFA Argus is a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. It has a 100-bed medical complex on board. She acts as a floating medical facility. HMS Medway one of the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is there for support if hurricane relief is needed later on in the year. The Royal Navy plays an essential part of the UK’s military response to support people affected by Hurricanes by providing humanitarian and disaster relief to the Caribbean Islands. When disasters occur, infrastructure and resources can be crippled, with shortages of food and water supplies and a lack of basic services like sanitation and electricity. Responding humanely to these life-threatening scenarios is central to the Royal Navy’s ethos – we have the skills, know-how and equipment to make a real difference, however extreme the circumstances. A self-sustaining, flexible force for good – even in the most challenging conditions – The crew will work alongside local emergency services re-establishing law and order, restoring water and power, repairing buildings like hospitals and schools, reopening airstrips and roads.

The Royal Navy patrol ship, HMS Medway is scheduled to visit the British Virgin Islands this coming Friday as part of the United Kingdom’s Caribbean Task Group’s mission to prepare for and respond to disasters in the region.

A media release from the Department of Disaster Management confirmed the visit and explained some of the activities to take place once the vessel reaches the territory.

“While in port, the crew will provide a capability demonstration and meet with officials from the Department of Disaster Management and other key agencies to determine how they can best work together and support the Territory in the wake of a hurricane or other natural disaster,” the DDM stated.

“The Task Group also consists of the support ship Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Wave Knight and its Wildcat HMA2 helicopter, along with the Crisis Response Troop drawn from 24 Commando Royal Engineers. The group carries specialist equipment and emergency supplies for use in the immediate aftermath of a disaster,” the DDM added.

Commenting on the initiative, Governor John Rankin said, “The team aboard HMS Medway are visiting the VI to meet key partners and to ensure that they can respond in the most effective way to meet the Territory’s greatest needs following a disaster.”

He added, “The safety and security of the people of the Virgin Islands is my top priority and I am pleased that we are able to have this exercise. Some of the Task Group’s capabilities will be on show during the visit. More details will be released in the coming days.” 

Meanwhile, Commander of the Task Group, Brian Trim said, “We are really looking forward to our visit. While we have worked in partnership with Montserrat and the Turks and Caicos Islands over the last few months, this will be our first chance this year to work with the VI. As the people of the VI know very well, working together is the key to success after a hurricane. I am sure we can learn a great deal through our cooperation during this visit.”

The Task Group works with the six UK Overseas Territories in the region and with other regional partners, to prepare for and respond to national disasters. This includes planning and training to develop capacity and disaster relief capabilities during the peak hurricane season.