RFA Mounts Bay delivers first aid to Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian

Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay distributed relief items, including vital shelter kits to The Bahamas which was hit by the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

A rigid-hulled inflatable boat was deployed from RFA Mounts Bay on September 4 with a dedicated humanitarian and disaster relief team to join up with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and unload vital aid to some of those who have been worst hit by the storm.

The ship has been in the Caribbean since June in preparation for the hurricane season and was re-tasked last week to sail to The Bahamas in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, the strongest ever recorded in The Bahamas.

“An RFA Mounts Bay Wildcat helicopter has begun conducting reconnaissance flights of The Bahamas to help assess the damage and the crew have begun distributing UK aid,” defense secretary Ben Wallace said.

“My thoughts remain with those affected and our world-class military will continue to assist the Bahamas government to offer relief and aid to those who need it most.”

RFA Mounts Bay has embarked a dedicated HADR team, and is carrying vital aid and specialist equipment, such as all-terrain quads, dump trucks, diggers and stores. It also stores DFID water carriers, hygiene kits including basic items such as soap, and shelter kits. Since Hurricane Dorian hit, a liaison officer from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and a DFID humanitarian expert have been onboard to help coordinate the relief efforts.

It also has a Wildcat helicopter that has been conducting reconnaissance flights over the islands to assess the damage and provide important intelligence to the Bahamian government and the team of DFID experts who have deployed to the region.