| RFA WAVE RULER is scheduled to make a Regional Engagement Visit to Anguilla, from the 18th to 20th October 2011. This will be the fourth time the ship has visited the Island, and the second this year having previously visited in July. |
| Since July RFA WAVE RULER has been conducting regional engagements at islands throughout the Caribbean which included playing an active role in St Kitts Independence Day celebrations in September. In August RFA WAVE RULER was tasked to proceed to the Turks and Caicos to give disaster relief assistance to the inhabitants of Grand Turk in the aftermath of hurricane Irene. The ship has also been carrying out Maritime Security Patrols throughout the Caribbean region A significant part of the Royal Navy’s presence is patrolling the North Atlantic and Caribbean. RFA WAVE RULER’s primary role is to provide support to the UK Overseas territories and strengthen the UK Government’s commitment in the region. This role includes providing regional support in the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes. With an extensive range of disaster relief stores WAVE RULER is capable of providing food, water and shelter where required. Additionally the ship and her crew can provide medical and humanitarian aid, together with technical assistance utilising their training, skills, knowledge and experience. This was demonstrated in July when we assisted Turks and Caicos after Hurricane Irene. Whilst at sea working in support of local defence and police forces, from a host of Caribbean nations, together with United States Coast Guard, RFA WAVE RULER conducts maritime patrols. RFA WAVE RULER and her Commanding Officer will host a Lunch on the 18th October 2011. The ships company will also participate in Disaster Relief Training exercises, and Community maintenance assistance. The Captain was quoted as saying “We are delighted to be able to have the opportunity to visit Anguilla again after our visit in July. We hope to renew acquaintances and continue our engagement with Disaster Management Teams. This reaffirms our commitment to the UK Overseas Territories and demonstrates the support we can offer in the event of natural disasters”. RFA WAVE RULER is a Fast Fleet Tanker and was built in Govan, Glasgow, entering service in 2002. She has a displacement of 31500 tonnes, and is 196.5 metres long with a beam of 30.4 metres, a draught of 10 metres and capable of speeds up to 18 -21 knots. She is a modern double hulled tanker and able to operate in all climates including icy waters The vessel can issue 16000 cubic metres of diesel and aviation fuel and has a flight deck & hangar to support helicopter operations. The ship has a crew of 73 British Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers and 32 Royal Navy personnel including a flight squadron. In recent years, RFA WAVE RULER has conducted a number of high profile disaster relief operations in the Caribbean in addition to a assisting a number of successful law enforcement operations. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a flotilla of 12 replenishment and logistic ships with just over 2000 personnel, operating worldwide in support of the British Armed Services, primarily the Royal Navy. The primary purpose of the Royal Navy in the Caribbean is to deliver security and reassurance to the UK Overseas Territories, specifically in disaster relief operations. In addition, the Royal Navy has been able to offer support to other Caribbean countries in the event of disasters. For example, it provided support last year to communities in St. Lucia hit by the effects of Hurricane Tomas. The Royal Navy will continue to provide a permanent presence in the Caribbean, able to respond to the full range of foreseeable contingencies. In the event of a humanitarian disaster, it will deliver initial military assistance. During 2011 this will be, provided by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship enhanced with a naval party and helicopter during the hurricane season (1 June – 30 November). This will provide a broadly comparable capability to previous years, albeit with one ship rather than two. When Royal Naval vessels are not engaged in disaster support activity, spare capacity is used to assist with law enforcement in the Caribbean region. This work has been highly successful. |
