Members of the RFA Argus contingent that assisted in yesterday's sprucing up exercise coordinated by the Rotary Club

RFA Argus: photo: shippingtimes.co.uk

The crew members along with assistants from the Parks Commission were tasked with enhancing visitors’ experience of the walking trails on the Territory’s second highest peak, by widening and levelling the trails, pruning of excess foliage and providing picnic tables and benches. 

Elbows were greased and muscles churned as officers were split into separate teams to tackle building, widening and pruning separately. There was much work to be done as the area was very overgrown with foliage and had a rough terrain to be navigated. 

Officers quickly got into the thick of things and an immediate impact could be felt as the tree lines were lowered and benches began to be replaced. 

Above all else though, they ensured to have fun along the way. 

In addition to the naval officers, there were also two Royal Marine Commandos, Mike and Benjie who were instrumental in rehabilitating the lookout tower at the Park. 

Speaking with the Virgin Islands News Online, leader of the delegation, Rotarian Elvis Harrigan said, “The Rotarian motto is service above self and we look for ways and avenues in which we can serve the community; this is just one of those projects that came about.” “We were quite delighted to do it actually because the sailors normally come around from the UK and they always look for work that they can do while they’re here. ” 

One naval officer said “We’re happy to be here, to help.” He noted that they proceed from here to Anguilla after arriving from the Cayman Islands previously. 

Crew members disembarked from the RFA Argus and were taken by ferry to Virgin Gorda to assist in the project. Gorda Park is home to the Territory’s second highest peak and on a cloudless day, offers a magnificent view to all the surrounding islands in range. 

The RFA Argus was in port as part of a two-day visit which ends today, August 21, 2012 as part of her deployment to the Caribbean on the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North) - the UK’s year round commitment to the region.

The ship's main duties are to provide assurance and support to the UK’s Overseas Territories, particularly in response to natural disasters, and to maintain a presence in the area championing UK government objectives and conducting counter narcotics trafficking patrols in conjunction with US and other international forces.