Hamilton, Bermuda has welcomed Royal UK Navy Warship HMS Argyll for a four day visit at the start of her deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.
Staff from HMS Argyll and the Bermudan authorities conducted disaster relief planning both on board and ashore during the visit. This will allow Argyll to give more effective assistance to Bermuda and to work with the Bermudans in providing assistance elsewhere in the region should a disaster occur.
HMS Argyll’s Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Hammond, said: “I am very pleased to have strengthened our relationship with Bermuda and to have conducted such valuable work in planning for disaster relief.”
He added: “The Royal Navy has a long standing association with Bermuda and after months of hard work and preparation to conduct our first visit to such a beautiful and welcoming island is a privilege for both me and my ship’s company.”
HMS Argyll has deployed to the Caribbean region to provide reassurance and, if required, humanitarian aid and disaster relief support to the UK’s British Overseas Territories and other islands during the hurricane season.
HMS Argyll will also conduct counter narcotics patrols in conjunction with the US Coast Guard to enhance regional security and deter illicit activity.
[mappress] Press Release, July 07, 2014; Image: UK Navy