The British Royal Navy Ship, HMS Mersey, is having a busy time in Anguilla this week. The frigate, under the command of Lieutenant Commander, Richard P. Hewitt, dropped anchor in Road Bay on Monday and will remain there until Saturday.
Soon after arrival, the Commanding Officer came ashore to review plans for the ship’s visit with Governor Christina Scott. Thereafter he had separate briefings with the Acting Chief Minister, Hon. Curtis Richardson, and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Morrison. He was accompanied by Engagement Officer, Ms Alexandra Harris, and by Assistant Defense Attache in the region, Mr. Allan Hurley.
The ship’s formal, but routine, visit includes a number of activities. Among them is conducting part of a Regional Pre-Hurricane Season Engagement with such local agencies as the Department of Disaster Management, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Royal Anguilla Police Force.
The programme also makes provision for discussions with government officials on rescue at sea procedures and illegal fishing patrol. In addition, there are arrangements for tours of the ship by the newly-formed Cadet Corps, several other groups and individuals. A football match between a ship’s team and local players has also been arranged.
HMS Mersey is a river-class offshore patrol vessel. It is in the North Caribbean region as part of the Atlantic Patrol Task Engagement. This is an annual exercise aimed at providing reassurance to UK Overseas Territories that in case of disaster help is always close at hand. The service includes the delivery of humanitarian and disaster relief during the main hurricane season and the conducting of counter narcotic patrols.
