The UK government has deployed the Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Trent to Jamaica to assist with disaster relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Defence and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
HMS Trent, which arrived in storm-hit Falmouth on Tuesday, is carrying a crew of 75, including specialist engineers who will work alongside Jamaican authorities on infrastructure assessments and emergency repairs.
The ship also carries drones and two rigid inflatable Zodiac boats used to transport personnel and equipment ashore. According to the Ministry of Defence, the vessel’s engineering teams will focus on supporting recovery operations and restoring critical infrastructure in affected communities.
Defence Secretary John Healey said, “I’m proud of our British Armed Forces for the important role they play in disaster relief missions. Our Royal Navy and British Army personnel will support their civilian colleagues with specialist engineering expertise to assist local recovery efforts – as Britain steps up to support those in need.”
Minister for the Caribbean Chris Elmore said, “UK government teams have been working around the clock to get relief supplies to those hardest hit by the hurricane, and the Royal Navy’s HMS Trent has arrived to assist with local recovery efforts.” He added that British personnel were working to restore essential services for communities affected by the storm.
The deployment follows the UK’s wider aid package to Jamaica, which includes more than 3,000 shelter kits and 1,500 solar-powered lanterns for households that lost power. A Foreign Office Rapid Deployment Team is also in the country to support British nationals and coordinate with local agencies.
HMS Trent is one of five River-class Batch 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels built in the UK and forms part of the Royal Navy’s regular presence in the Caribbean, conducting both humanitarian relief operations and counter-narcotics patrols. The ship had been stationed in the Turks and Caicos Islands before being redirected to Jamaica at the request of the Jamaican government.
Do we still own Jamaca ?
Could we not sort of give it away with a few Billion ££££’s
Look, I didn’t start all this.
The River class batch II have been a real god send for operating in environments like the Caribbean and South Pacific where a modern frigate would be a total waste of money.
It’s still a real pitty though that we did not go a little further and put a hangar on them.
I guess they could retrofit a telescopic hanger.
Given Lancaster’s possible replacement with a River 2 it’s worth a small bet that one or two of these ships could be upgraded with a Wildcat and a 40mm into a makeshift GP ‘frigate’.
They already can carry Wildcat and they also mount a 30mm Gun so actually not much of an upgrade there Paul, personally I’d like to see a few Coranades and some Grapling hooks and a sharpshooter in the Crowsnest, maybe a Jolly Roger fluttering in the wind.
“Hey diddle Dee Dee, a Pirates life for me ! 🏴☠️
Roger the cabin boy 😁
Got to go, there’s been a massive explosion next door, sparks flying everywhere. 🎇
Of course, once we used a Wave with RM det and helicopters to reach striken areas and bring in food.
Try that with this Mr Healey and your “Britain stepping up” grabdstanding.
It’s relentless.
I do think the Rivers have been useful, although truly under equipped for a vessel of their size. The Leanders were not a great deal bigger than the batch 2s. However when is really needed there at the moment is the likes of RFA Argus, or HMS Albion/Bulwark (now awaiting sale/disposal or even one of the Fort class RFAs. They could all carry Merlins and with a larger crew provide much more support to a country we need to support. How have we come to this?
Trent is “Merlin Capable”.
I thought the RN always had a decent size vessel stationed near the Caribbean, during Hurricane season?
They do, in the main pic you can see a River 2 and a Swarm of RHIB’s.
(Don’t mention Swarm, I mentioned it earlier, think I got away with it)👀