HMS Dauntless is actively assisting British territories in the Caribbean with disaster relief preparations as the height of hurricane season nears.
Since May, this Portsmouth-based destroyer has been operational in the Caribbean, simultaneously reinforcing security with allied forces, counteracting narcotics trade, and collaborating with island communities.
The Royal Navy say here that while the Type 45 destroyer had previously completed assignments in the Bahamas, its most recent Caribbean Sea patrol led it to the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and Anguilla.
These visits were concentrated on providing relief, assurance, and opportunities for mutual understanding with these island paradises.
HMS Dauntless’ Commanding Officer, Commander Ben Dorrington shared, “It has been immensely insightful to visit the United Kingdom’s overseas territories in the Caribbean. By engaging with local authorities we have a far better idea of how we would provide support in a natural disaster scenario.”
In their recent engagements:
- British Virgin Islands: Discussions with the island’s disaster management committee zeroed in on a collaborative approach to hurricane responses and other natural calamities. The ship’s football team also built community ties, albeit with a 2-1 loss against a local team.
- Montserrat: Here, the focus was on broader disaster preparedness against potential threats like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and tropical storms. A stark reminder of nature’s fury was evident in the ruins of Plymouth, Montserrat’s previous capital. The continuous threat of Soufrière Hills volcano, which devastated parts of the island in 1995, looms large. The ship’s personnel and Royal Marines undertook a challenging 16km HADR (Humanitarian and Disaster Relief) exercise in challenging terrains and climatic conditions.
- Anguilla: The ship remained anchored during its stay, becoming a hub of interactions, including hosting the Governor of Anguilla for a luncheon and tour. The crew also prepared to re-engage in counter-narcotics operations, recalling their previous £140m cocaine bust and collaboration with US forces.
This kind of activity always strikes me as an odd use of a state-of-the-art DDG.
I can only think they want her running round the hottest sea in the world to make sure the power issue does not come back. However given that the CSG is short on escorts and we now have a littoral group headed to the Med it seems like she is needed else where. They could always reroute the River class OPV currently off west Africa to the Caribbean if needed.
A sign of how stretched the RN is. A helicopter is valuable in humanitarian aid situations. Perhaps Lyme Bay should replace Dauntless who should be sent to protect Argus – she may be vulnerable to a Hamas / Hezbollah Heath Robinson AShM attack.
HMS Duncan is deployed leading a group of 4 other NATO Destroyers/Frigates in the Med currently. Duncan could be repositioned if needed.
Fair point. I was just thinking prevention is better than cure. A lot of planning has gone into this Hamas offensive. I’m concerned they have thought through phase 2 9/11 style provocations against the US ( and UK),
Agree it must be something to do with a bit of heat testing, as you say there are lot of things a type 45 could be doing with the security situation in and around Europe.
Agree we may need to do an evac of UK citizens from the eastern med very soon, if the conflict widens. With Hezbollah having access to Iranian drones and missiles, air defence assets will be a key component.
Pity both LPD’s are laid up.
Hi James. I thought Medway was stationed there more or less permanently?
Medway replaced HMS Forth in the Falklands, she was there a month ago. Not sure of her current location but I doubt we would have two vessels in the Caribbean at the same time give how tight things are.
Maybe RFA Proteous might head to the Caribbean for a shake down cruise 😀
Odd rhymes with MOD, sums it up really.
Perfect for the T31’s though. Whilst they have limitations at least it will free up more heavily armed ships for their proper roles.
This is a bit of an odd story because as far as I am aware she was out in the Caribbean in June on “Guard duties” and that was the hottest part of the year. So she isn’t strengthening anything she is it. Its now the cooler, wet season which is when the Hurricanes happen so nothing to do with Hot trials. More likely she is covering for us having nothing else available, usually there is a Bay class out there at this time of year. But Lyme Bay is with Argus and Cardigan Bay is at HMS Jaifur. I… Read more »
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Hi Rodney. I thought the 5 Batch 2’s were permanently stationed as follows:
Forth in Falklands, Medway Caribbean, Trent Gibraltar, Spey and Tamar in Indian/Pacific region. Maybe Medway is in re-fit?
From Wikipedia
Falklands Deployment 2023
Edit
In January 2023, Medway temporarily deployed to the Falkland Islands to take over the role of guardship there whilst her sister ship HMS Forth underwent maintenance. In April, the patrol vessel was operating in the waters off South Georgia on sovereignty protection tasks.[28] As of May 2023, the destroyer HMS Dauntless temporarily replaced Medway on her normal Caribbean tasking.
Thanks Rugger 13(League I presume 😄)-some good Union this weekend though!
My theory is that because they are small little children they have all gone into hiding as there may be some nasty Big Bears after their Porridge.
Medway is somewhere between the Falklands and Brazil, Forth is of the West Coast of Africa, Tamar is in Cairns (lucky sods), Trent is at Gib, Severn is in the Channel, Mersey is in Portsmouth, Tyne is in the Clyde and Spey near Singapore.
How the hell is Santa going to find them all 🎅🏻🤷🏻
I have always thought we don’t support our overseas territory’s enough in terms of things like tourism it would be nice if we invested in them and made them places Brits want to go also would be nice to rotate infantry units through them more often like the Falklands does
Some actually have small defence forces that are affiliated to the British Army. The Bermuda Regiment, Cayman Islands Regiment, Royal Montserrat Defence Force, Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, and the better known examples, Royal Gibraltar Regiment and the FIDF.
With the FIDF, an Infantry Company rotates through too as you say, but the Falklands has several active military installations that need cover where the others, apart from Gibraltar, do not as far as I’m aware?
I remember when Gibraltar had an entire Infantry Battalion stationed there!
Maybe time to change course Captain 🇮🇱
We can argue over operational priorities, but it is great to occasionally see a substantial warship performing the old fashioned “show the flag” role that RN cruisers so well for a century – until the late 1960’s. For many of the crew, it will probably be the highlight of their naval career. I hope there is TV documentary team on board, the RN Careers Service still badly needs something positive to counter what unfortunately became a rather depressing series: “The Warship: Tour of Duty”.