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.