British Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship RFA Fort Rosalie to Visit Grenada

January 23, 2012

The British Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Fort Rosalie will visit Grenada on 20-22 January to support the seventh UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum taking place on the island.

As part of the event, Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for the Caribbean Hon Jeremy Browne MP and the ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Ross Ferris, will officially welcome the delegates onboard for a reception during which Mr Browne will present an award to the winner of a competition held during the Forum to identify Caribbean entrepreneurs.

The competition known as ‘Breakpoint’ is a Dragon’s Den Style event which will send two winning Caribbean entrepreneurs on a working visit to the UK. Caribbean dignitaries will be treated to some of the first class hospitality that the RFA has to offer.

RFA Fort Rosalie is currently in the Caribbean supporting UK Overseas Territories, providing the UK Government’s presence in the region and strengthening bonds with our allies as well as acting as a deterrent to drug smugglers.

Over the years millions of pounds worth of drugs have been apprehended by the Royal Navy and prevented from reaching the UK.

Captain Ferris, has said that he and the Ship’s Company are “honoured to be involved in such an important and high profile event and look forward to continuing the good work, providing assurance and support as well as disrupting the drug trafficking routes in the region, over forthcoming months.”

Fort Rosalie was awarded Ship of the Year last year and it is easy to see why, the professionalism and hard working nature of the Ship’s Company all add up to make her a ship to be proud of.

A busy 2011 saw her come out of refit, take part in a major international maritime exercise, and deploy on two military operations including one off the Libyan coast before setting off before Christmas to take up her current tasking, so busy in fact that she hasn’t had an opportunity to collect her trophy.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian manned flotilla which is owned and operated by the UK Ministry of Defence in order to provide fuel, supplies and logistical support to Royal Navy warships around the world.

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Naval Today Staff , January 23, 2012; Image: royalnavy