Under the command of Commander Steve Moorhouse the Royal Navy’s Frigate HMS Lancaster will pay a courtesy call to Montserrat from July 10 to 13, 2013, according to a Government House press release on July 3, 2013.
With a crew of almost, 200 officers and men working on board, the ship recently refurbished, is now one of the most modern in the fleet.
According to the release, “Whilst here the crew members will carry out several community projects, including rehabilitation of several homes of older people working alongside a number of volunteers drawn from community groups. They will paint hospital buildings; assist with the repainting of the Warden Assisted Housing at Lookout and provide training for the Police Marine Unit, DMCA and the RMDF amongst other activities.”
Working along with the crew, members of the youth community such as the Catholic youth Organisation (CYO), will assist with the other community groups, support from a number of local business places, individuals and organisations who are donating building materials and manpower for the rehabilitation of the homes of the elderly people, in a specially designed project.
As usual, social and sports programmes have also been drawn up for the ship along with several tours organised for the crew members.
The HMS Lancaster is part of the Atlantic Patrol Taskforce Network (APTN) which has a presence in the region particularly during the hurricane season. It will remain in the Caribbean throughout the hurricane season to assist where necessary in the aftermath of any storm.
Government House says that During the visit, Commodore of the Fleet, Commodore Cochran will arrive in Montserrat to join the HMS Lancaster.
TMR will join a media tour on Friday, July 12, 2013, and a press conference on board the ship.
