Media operatives were given a tour of the HMS Lancaster where plans for the hurricane season were disclosed. Photo: VINO

The Presence of the HMS Lancaster in VI waters is likely to ward off drug smuggling activities, according to the HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Steve Moorhouse. Photo: VINO

Despite the fact that their mission is not war related, the crew of HMS Lancaster is always ready to bring out the big guns. Here a crew member displays his weapons for the media. Photo: VINO

The helicopter, 300, which will be seen circling the Territory during the course of today July 3, 2013. Photo: VINO

Aboard the HMS Lancaster are two of the fastest small vessels used for policing duties and quick response to sea movement activities. Photo: VINO

A briefing of the press was also facilitated by the Commander on July 2, 2013. Commander Moorhouse said, however, that the HMS Lancaster has not been doing formal interventions relating to drug smuggling activities in the waters surrounding the Virgin Islands as the first element of its deployment is to visit the various areas of the Territory for a familiarisation process and to assess the needs of each island should a hurricane hit.  

Following a shot visit to the island of Montserrat, the crew will embark on a counter narcotics programme together with the USA Coast Guard, here and other Caribbean islands. “That said, whenever we are at sea we are policing the seas and watching out for anything that’s illegal, any illegal activities.” said Moorhouse. He said that so far they have not detected anything. “And I think that’s a good sign, our presence alone hopefully.... that has made people think twice before embarking on something illegal.”   

Persons are being advised that there should be no fear or reason for alarm as the HMS helicopter would be circling the Territory today as part of the operations to assess areas that have been hardest hit by hurricanes in the past. “The disaster management team will point out the areas where in the past may have suffered difficulties in the event of a hurricane and we’ll also talk to how you coordinate and manage in the immediate aftermath, and that’s critical.” 

Otherwise the crew will be working with the local marine unit going through boarding practices. “There’ll be two parts to that service. We’ll be sitting down and talking through how exactly we do boarding process, the equipment we use, the techniques and then we’ll follow that up on sailing on Thursday with a dynamic serial.” 

The local officers would be taking through the process of how illegal items found on a vessel is taken off and secured during the planned sessions set for tomorrow Thursday July 4, 2013. The commander said that the 192 personnel on board the crew have what it takes to offer a little of everything that might be needed in the event of an emergency and supporting residents of the VI. 

“We are like those crazy twister watchers so we’ll be behind the hurricane literally in safe areas and as soon as the hurricane would have blown through the island we’ll be there and the first thing we’ll do then is to launch the helicopter to see what damages have been done,” said Commander Moorhouse. 

The warship arrived on June 30, 2013 and so far has had courtesy calls from the various stakeholders of the Virgin Islands, including Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the honourable D Orlando Smith, Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and Fire and Rescue.

 The warship will be operating within the Caribbean throughout the current hurricane season. “The weather forecasting is pretty good so the BVI would know if there is a hurricane building and through the Governor’s Office they would be talking to London we believe this hurricane is going to hit BVI and then the request would be made for Lancaster to come and support and even before the hurricanes hit you we are moving in to close that distance,” explained Mr Moorhouse. 

When the Hurricane would have passed and it’s deemed safe the crew would be on the ground to offer support. “Assuming that conversation happens between the Governor’s office and the UK, otherwise we’ll be 24 – 36 hours away and without delay we’ll be a little bit closer,” Moorhouse added. 

Lancaster, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Queen’s Frigate’ after her sponsor Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, will visit all six of the British Overseas Territories in the region as well as numerous Commonwealth and Caribbean countries in order to conduct regional defence engagement. These visits will provide the opportunity to train with other navies as well as demonstrate the Royal Navy’s continued commitment to the region.   

HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Moorhouse, said: “It is with great pride that Lancaster visits the British Virgin Islands, the 4th of the British Overseas territories Lancaster has visited during her deployment. The relationship between the islands and the Royal Navy goes back hundreds of years and I am looking forward to continuing that relationship by working with the Governor and the emergency services during our stay.” 

As well as providing reassurance and security for British overseas territories Lancaster’s deployment will also see her undertake a range of other tasks across the Caribbean in support of British interests. These include the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations.

 The crew of HMS Lancaster are especially excited about being in the Virgin Islands as it will be the first time to the island for many of the sailors. The opportunity to explore the wonders of a new Caribbean island, sample it’s culture and meet with the locals will provide the crew with a well earned rest in between high tempo operations. “Not to mention a trip to the home of Pussers Rum.” said the commander.