HMS Trent deploys to Jamaica to support hurricane relief efforts

The Portsmouth-based patrol ship HMS Trent arrived on the island’s northern coast on Tuesday at the port of Falmouth and landed expert engineers from 24 Commando Royal Engineer’s Crisis Response Troop.

The troop and sailors from Trent have been helping repair storm damage alongside local authorities and have been assessing what is required after Melissa – a category five hurricane that struck at the end of October – became the strongest storm ever to hit Jamaica.

They have been particularly focused on getting Falmouth Hospital back up and running, including helping fix boilers that had taken severe water damage.

“HMS Trent, upon the request of the Jamaican Government, landed our Crisis Response Troop ashore to provide disaster relief in Falmouth, Jamaica,” said Lieutenant Commander Paul Kilbride Royal Navy, Executive Officer, in temporary command of HMS Trent – speaking after the ship’s arrival on the 4 November.

“Our team from 24 Commando Royal Engineers brings a wide range of specialist skills, for fixing infrastructure and repairing damage.

“In partnership with the Jamaican Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, we are providing a tangible benefit to Falmouth.

“The Troop have spent the day on the ground, surveying the area to see how we can best help.

“We have been asked to give special attention to Falmouth Hospital.”

Marine Engineer, Leading Engineering Technician Naomi Pearmine, from the Isle of Wight, added: “We’ve been working with some of the local engineers, working on the hospital’s boilers to get them back up and running, ultimately getting doctors and nurses in the best position to help the local community. Anything we can do to make their lives easier is worth doing.”

Sub-Lieutenant Robin Blyth, Royal Naval Reserve, deployed with the Crisis Response Troop as they went ashore.

He said: “When we stepped ashore, we were heartbroken to see the damage that Melissa has caused. However, we were equally inspired by the resilience shown by everyone we met.

“It means a great deal that we were invited to help. For most of us, this is precisely the sort of operation we joined to do. Jamaica is part of our Commonwealth family, something we all feel very strongly about, and when family member needs help, we all wanted to be there to give our support.”

HMS Trent’s arrival comes after the UK announced a wider package of support to Jamaica, including over 3,000 shelter kits and over 1,500 solar powered lanterns to help those whose homes have been damaged and those without power. A specialist FCDO Rapid Deployment Team is also in Jamaica to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals.

HMS Trent came to the Caribbean at the end of September, replacing her sister ship HMS Medway as the Royal Navy’s regional patrol ship.

She has two rigid inflatable Zodiac boats, to rapidly move support teams and quadbikes ashore and is also equipped with drones that can assist the Jamaican authorities in conducting reconnaissance missions of damaged areas by providing aerial assessments and imagery.

Trent was initially deployed to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a UK Overseas Territory, along with an Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team to respond to any potential disasters.