Patrol Ship's Visit Underscores Caribbean Commitment

The U.K.'s ongoing support to its overseas territories was thrown into sharp relief when Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Medway paid a visit to two Turks and Caicos Islands.

The River-class ship, which is currently assigned to the North Atlantic and Caribbean region, has been docked at first Providenciales and then Grand Turk during the last fortnight to take part in a disaster response exercise. Its sailors also got to meet and work alongside members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment.

As per a Ministry of Defence press statement, the Medway also played host to local dignitaries, including the Islands’ Governor in Providenciales; in Grand Turk, she invited schoolchildren aboard to witness her capabilities and humanitarian equipment, including disaster relief supplies, ration packs, medical gear, and materials for clearing storm debris. 

Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard commented: "From tackling narcotics trafficking, to supporting relief efforts during hurricane season, the crew of HMS Medway are providing a valuable and reassuring presence for British citizens in the Overseas Territories."

As well as providing assistance when natural disasters strike, in concert with the U.S. law enforcement agencies HMS Medway is actively engaged in countering the efforts of drugs smugglers.

The 90m offshore patrol vessel was commissioned in 2019. She has maximum speed of 25 knots; a range of 5,500 nautical miles, and can spend more than a month at sea at a time. She has a crew of up to 45 and can also carry up to 50 troops; Merlin helicopters can operate from her flight deck when missions demand it.

In addition to her Caribbean deployment she was briefly stationed in the Falkland Islands in early 2023 and also operated off South Georgia later that year; she underwent a refit in Gibraltar in late 2023 before returning to the Caribbean in September.

Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, said: "HMS Medway’s presence in the Turks and Caicos Islands exemplifies the U.K.’s unwavering commitment to its Overseas Territories and regional allies."

• You can read more details on the MoD website