Royal Navy support ship RFA Lyme Bay left Anguilla early Sunday July 26 after a productive three day visit. The ship’s visit was part of the UK’s commitment to providing disaster relief and counter-narcotic activities to the Overseas Territories in the region.
After meeting with the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Governor and Commissioner of Police, personnel from RFA Lyme undertook a variety of exercises in conjunction with local experts. These included testing long range communications, water creation and distribution from the ship’s on-board desalination plant, as well as clearing debris. The ship’s humanitarian assistance experts also joined local utility companies and government in an exercise which tested arrangements to re-establish utilities in a post hurricane situation.
While visiting Anguilla, the crew from RFA Lyme Bay also took part in a number of community projects which included working with officers from the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service in refurbishing the Fire Station.
Speaking of the visit Governor Christina Scott remarked “I was impressed to learn first-hand of the humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities Lyme Bay can offer. It was useful that a number of stakeholders including the Ministry of Infrastructure, the RAPF and the Department of Disaster Management were able to take part in several disaster preparedness exercises with the ship.”
On Saturday afternoon a team from RFA Lyme Bay took on the Anguilla Under-20’s in a friendly football match. The U-20’s claimed a solid victory of 7-0 with two goals scored by Keanu Richardson, continuing the recent victories by Anguilla over both HMS Argyll and HMS Severn.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Service is a flotilla of 13 Naval Support Ships delivering afloat support to UK and Allied Armed Forces around the world. The RFA supports a wide spectrum of operations from counter-piracy, disaster relief, counter-narcotics, law enforcement and evacuation operations as well as conflict support.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
