A Royal Navy patrol ship has deployed to Jamaica to assist in humanitarian relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Royal Navy stated.
HMS Trent arrived at the port of Falmouth on Jamaica’s northern coast earlier this week, landing engineers from 24 Commando Royal Engineers’ Crisis Response Troop to help restore essential services and assess damage after the Category 5 storm. Hurricane Melissa, which struck at the end of October, is reported to be the most powerful ever recorded in Jamaica.
“HMS Trent, upon the request of the Jamaican Government, landed our Crisis Response Troop ashore to provide disaster relief in Falmouth, Jamaica,” said Lieutenant Commander Paul Kilbride, Royal Navy, Executive Officer and temporary commanding officer of Trent. “Our team from 24 Commando Royal Engineers brings a wide range of specialist skills for fixing infrastructure and repairing damage.”
He added that the Royal Navy is working with the Jamaican Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management to “provide a tangible benefit to Falmouth” and that special attention has been directed to Falmouth Hospital, where the team is helping repair boilers and water systems damaged by flooding.
According to the Royal Navy, HMS Trent’s deployment follows a wider UK relief package that includes over 3,000 shelter kits, 1,500 solar-powered lanterns, and the presence of a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Rapid Deployment Team providing consular assistance to British nationals.
The ship, which replaced her sister vessel HMS Medway in the Caribbean in September, carries rigid inflatable boats and quadbikes for shore operations, as well as drones capable of providing aerial reconnaissance to support local authorities.
So with everything that has beset those poor people in Jamaica, the UK sends a canoe, without helicopter support. Hmmm
No not really.
We have no responsibility to provide Jamaica with any assistance and we sent more than anyone else.
We need to focus resources on the Territories we are responsible for, Jamaica opted for independence, we should respect that and let them get on with it.
Her lack of a helo is a huge limitation. The Bay’s are perfect for these type of relief and civilian aid tasks, e.g. Largs Bay in 2020 and Mounts Bay in 2017/18
There always used to be a ‘Bay’ in the vicinity during hurricane season.
Yes but DFID decided they would not pay for Royal Navy ships to do disaster recovery because this was a misuse of their development funds.
Then they tired to force the RN to pay for this themselves.
Then the government slashed DFID’s budget to pay for asylum hotels.
The Royal navy has plenty of things to spend money on that don’t involve bailing out former colonies that have been independent for nearly 100 years and who’s governments are increasingly hostile towards us and who’s political parties want reparations from us.
We need to look after actual British territories in the Caribbean who rely on us and are still under our care. I’m happy to give Jamaica any assistance we can provide as a good neighbour but I see no need, obligation or benefit to the UK tax payer of stationing a major vessels in the area to provide disaster relief for independent countries who are not treaty Allie’s.
Personally I think it would also be better if kings Charles was not the head of state of Jamaica but then this is a decision for the monarch and people of Jamaica and f**k all to do with the UK.
I just wish people in Jamaica would realise that and het the massive chip off their shoulder that seemed to start growing in 2016.
Not sure who you’re referring to, but Jamaca have on,y had independence since 1962, so 63 years fella. A fair way distant from you ‘nearly 100’!
That’s two thirds of the way to a century so I stand my my comment of nearly 100 years 😀
It is pure self-delusion to pretend that one small patrol boat, without even a Wildcate, can make a significant contribution to Jamaca’s recovery.
It would be a different story if Albion or Bulwark were available, say funded by the Foreign Aid budget to provide diasaster relief.
The ability for the B2 to carry ISO containers make the much better suited for such tasks than small cramped ASW frigates.
Yes, Albion or Argus would be better than Trent. I did read that the sale of Albion to Brazil ( reported by Portsmouth News) is ‘on ice’. Given the cost of refit versus the sale price of Bulwark I wonder whether we are asking Brazil to pay more; of maybe even considering keeping Albion and selling Argus?
Good morning James. I agree with you about the shoulder chip, but on the other hand they still have Charles as King, are still Commonwealth members, are part of the Anglosphere, and a former colony so some significant links remain. I would certainly prioritize them over say, Haiti for assistance
Regards from Durban
ps- a small group of South Africans still celebrate Trafalgar Day in Durban at the Royal Natal Yacht Club with the firing of cannons and a suitable meal with attendees in Dinner suits!
Used to be a Caribbean Guardship, but that was when the RN had a large number of outdated frigates and time expired destroyers to task for that. My ship, Glamorgan, provided relief to Dominica after a hurricane in the early 8Os. Powered the entire capital!
A patrolling ship in that area could usefully use a or a couple of Malloy T150 drones for the lifting of “stuff” into devastated ates.
Oops…sorry…it would mean actually buying something useful…
AA