HMS Trent prepares for hurricane season by meeting disaster experts from a major US city

The patrol ship’s crew plus members of their HADR (Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief) troop of embarked forces were invited to see how specialist teams at Tampa’s Emergency Operations Centre coordinate response to disaster and the city’s firefighting HQ

Tampa is at the heart of a conurbation of nearly 3½ million people covering an area the size of North Yorkshire.

It’s also become increasingly hit by tropical storms since the turn of the millennium. A succession of storms across the Bay area in 2024 alone – Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton – caused £3.8bn damage.

Trent is deployed to the Caribbean throughout the 2026 storm season (which has now officially begun), carries relief supplies and equipment, and military specialists in restoring basic amenities in the wake of a disaster.

As part of that mission the Portsmouth-based ship visits British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth nations across the region, meeting the local experts in disaster and crisis response, sharing plans, ideas and expertise, and also explaining what she can provide in the immediate aftermath of a storm, quake or volcanic eruption.

After demonstrating some of her capabilities to civic leaders and authorities in Tampa during a logistics/maintenance stop in the port, crew were invited to the City of Tampa’s Office of Emergency Management’s emergency operations centre (EOC) and Tampa Fire Rescue’s Fire Station 1 aka The Big House, which serves as the HQ for nearly two dozen ‘fire houses’ (stations) across the city, plus two dedicated ‘rescue stations’.

The visit highlighted shared interest in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and hurricane relief operations as well as the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. It reinforced the importance of international cooperation during natural disasters and large-scale emergencies.

If mobilised to help out, as well as a ship’s company of about 50 souls with various engineering, first aid, leadership skills, plus sheer muscle to distribute relief supplies, Trent can call upon her embarked troops – including 24 Commando Royal Engineer’s Crisis Response Troop, who can assist with communications, engineering and airlift support among other skillsets – and Scout Flight from 700X Naval Air Squadron based in Culdrose and their Puma, Malloy, and ANAFI drones for reconnaissance duties and also moving equipment/supplies to hard-to-reach sites.

“This was an excellent opportunity to engage with civil authorities, gaining insight into their hurricane and disaster response planning and management, which directly strengthens our readiness,” said Lt Cdr Kelly Jenkins-Hill, Officer in Charge of Operation Ventus – the codename for any relief mission enacted by HMS Trent.