The Dutch Navy’s support vessel in the Caribbean, HNLMS Pelikaan, is supplying the population of Saba with extra water this week.
The Representative of the National Government for Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba submitted a request for military assistance to the Dutch Flag Officer Caribbean last weekend. The island is facing a severe shortage of drinking water after a long period of drought and a malfunctioning water treatment plant. Government organisations in particular, such as schools, the hospital and homes for the elderly are at risk of running out of water. The Pelikaan has come to the island’s aid. The support vessel can carry up to 70,000 litres of water, as well as being able to purify several thousand liters of water an hour.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 13, 2013; Image: Dutch MoD