Atlantic Patrol Tasking North

The Royal Navy is committed to maintaining a constant presence in the North Atlantic and Caribbean. Why? To protect the interests of the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories in the region.

 

What are we doing?

North Atlantic Patrol Tasking is normally carried out by a single vessel from the Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Currently, RFA Wave Knight holds the honour, alongside HMS Medway.

In a typical day, her duties could see her carrying out exercises, boarding a suspected drug-smuggling vessel, or simply patrolling the region to act as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

Wave Knight also carries a specialist disaster relief team made up of personnel from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the British Army’s 7th Infantry Brigade, as well as a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter.

Together, they are able to restore vital infrastructure and services, such as roads, electricity and running water, to communities devastated by hurricanes and other natural disasters.