HMS Argyll Leaves British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) witnessed the departure of Devonport based Royal Navy Warship HMS Argyll today after a two day community engagement and disaster relief planning visit.

HMS Argyll hosted local disaster management leaders on-board to discuss the capabilities a Type 23 Frigate could provide in the aftermath of a hurricane.

Through the on-board discussion the ship’s company gained a greater understanding of BVI and this will allow more effective assistance should a disaster occur.

HMS Argyll’s Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Hammond, said: “It is with great pride that HMS Argyll visits the British Virgin Islands, the third British Overseas territory we have visited during our deployment.”

On her first evening in BVI, HMS Argyll welcomed approximately 100 key members of the local community, including Governor His Excellency Boyd McCleary, onboard for a Reception and Capability Demonstration.

This allowed members of HMS Argyll’s ship’s company to demonstrate to a large audience the capabilities of a Type 23 frigate and the assistance that she could provide.

Continuing to work in partnership with BVI, on the second day of the visit HMS Argyll welcomed members of the Virgin Islands Search and Rescue team for a mutual training and knowledge exchange exercise focussed on how Search and Rescue operations are conducted on-board.

Additionally, 15 members of Ships Company stepped ashore for six hours to assist the local community by working to restore local buildings including the Government Museum and the Rotary House.

As directed by Her Majesty the Queen, members of HMS Argyll’s ship’s company ‘Spliced the Main Brace’ for the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth while the ship visited BVI.

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.