HMS Severn, a Royal Navy River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel spent five days in Anguilla lifting anchor early Monday afternoon. Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Steven Banfield and the Uk’s Defence Attache to the Caribbean Lt Col Patrick Brown made their first stop Thursday to the Executive Council where they met with the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Governor and others.
As a key player in fisheries protection, HMS Severn invited the department of Fisheries and Marine Resources on board for a capability tour and briefing on marine management. As well ten officers from the Anguilla Fire & Rescue Service boarded the ship and engaged in a training exercise.
Ferry boat Captains Danny Mussington, Darrel Bryan and Desmond Mussington were invited to tour the ship and attend a lunch on board HMS Severn hosted by the Commanding Officer.
A highlight of the ship’s visit was a friendly football match on Saturday afternoon against the Doc’s, who claimed a 5-1 victory over the Royal Navy.
Prior to departing Anguilla, HMS Severn, the Department of Disaster Management, the Anguilla Red Cross and the Amateur Radio Society conducted a communications exercise which tested the National Emergency Communication Network for strength and readability at varying distances from the National Emergency Operations Centre and the support Centre at the Disaster Management Office.
HMS Severn will continue patrolling the region, and providing reassurance to local communities of the Royal Navy’s commitment to the Overseas Territories.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
