During the media visit aboard the British naval ship RFA Mounts Bay which last year was very involved in rescues and support to Anguilla and British Virgin Islands during the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, the commanding officer of the has assured Montserrat that it is capable of giving assistance in hurricane and disaster relief.
On Wednesday, hearing from the reporters that Montserrat is normally the first in line of hurricanes coming out of the east, Captain Peter Selby told reporters that the ship can be in Montserrat within twelve hours after a hurricane strikes. He emphasized that part of their response is to restore critical services.
Portrait of Captain Peter Selby RFA
Portrait of Captain Selby RFA, Taken aboard the bridge on RFA Mounts Bay
“My vessel has a number of capabilities which can assist the U.K.’s overseas territories in hurricane and disaster relief. I have a team of Royal engineers with prompt earth moving equipment. I have a shelter kits, lorries, motorbikes,” adding, I have skilled engineers on board who are all capable of providing a blue light emergency response to any natural disaster.”
The captain explains that by blue light, “I mean we aim to be here within twelve hours of a hurricane passing through and would remain in the area for around 48 hours in order to provide you with a first line of Disaster Response, to enable you to restore all of critical services such as electricity, treat any casualties that you may have.
He said the ship has, “a fully equipped hospital on board with a medical team on standby in the U.K., to come and assist my core medical team of some four personnel.”
The ship which arrived the same day, Wednesday and the captain had said they will engage in a number of activities to include an emergency response exercise at Little Bay, training, and an Agricultural survey.
On Thursday, the ship hosted a reception on board in the evening during which the UK Right Honourable Mark Lancaster MP, who began a one-day visit on Thursday morning presented awards to several of the ship’s men.
