Bay Class Landing Ship

[Pelican]

HELICOPTER CREW RESCUES CASUALTIES IN HURRICANE DORIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION

05 September 2019

A Royal Navy helicopter crew flying from RFA Mounts Bay has rescued three children and a British citizen trapped beneath rubble for several days after Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas.

The Wildcat helicopter, operating from Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay, was flying over Great Abaco Island to assess damage when its crew were suddenly requested to evacuate a casualty from Elbow Cay.

Continues with photos at - https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... GDgT_l8dUg

[timlewin]

these chaps are doing a very fine job in a completely overwhelming situation, such a shame that the news wires are not making more of this. of course more help is needed, coming, but that's no reason not the big up the first responders. BZ RFA.
tim

[Little h]

Here we go - just been reading/viewing the following:-


NavyLookout on twitter
‏ @NavyLookout

.@ForcesNews report:
Lieutenant Colonel Gash, British Defence Attaché to the Caribbean praises well drilled response of @RFAMountsBay and skilled personnel on board for relief work in Bahmas #dorianhurricane

https://www.forces.net/news/hurricane-d ... d-response …

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Operations
Hurricane Dorian: British Service Personnel Praised For 'Well-Drilled' Response

Personnel from the Royal Navy and British Army have been delivering aid to the Bahamas since Wednesday.
8th September 2019 at 6:55pm

British military personnel, who are helping to provide aid to the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, have been praised by the country's Defence Attaché to the Carribean.

Personnel from the Royal Navy and British Army are continuing to assist with the relief effort on some of the worst-hit islands - delivering water, shelter kits and medical care, as well as evacuating casualties.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has bolstered Britain's military response to the hurricane with the arrival of an extra 18 medics last night.

A UK operational liaison and reconnaissance team are also now in the capital city of Nassau.

British personnel are working alongside civilians, as well as militaries from across the world including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and the Cayman Islands.

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In an exclusive interview, Lieutenant Colonel Anton Gash, the British Defence Attaché to the Caribbean, told Forces News: "It's been an example of collective effort, of compassion and of just the will to help relieve suffering in a way that is all too familiar in the Caribbean.

"The international effort is what has characterised this response."

At least 43 people have been killed in the Bahamas with thousands more being evacuated.

RFA Mounts Bay, which is leading Britain's response, has been in the region since June preparing for hurricane season.
RFA Mounts Bay HADR teams delivering aid to Great Abaco in the Bahamas 050919 CREDIT MOD
World

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"It's what she [RFA Mounts Bay] is equipped for, it's what she is trained for," Lieutenant Colonel Gash said.

"It's what the cast onboard, of multiple skills and multiple experiences from across the RFA and the military, are designed to do, and we are now seeing them putting it into action in a very well-oiled and well-drilled manner."

RFA Mounts Bay will be joined by Royal Navy ship HMS Protector on Monday.

The ice patrol ship is currently in Bermuda, taking onboard supplies including food, water and clothing.
Tags


Source; forces.net where images and videos can be seen and viewed

[Little h]

HMS Protector on twitter
‏ @hmsprotector

Throughout this weekend we’ve been helping collect and sort the generous donations from #Bermuda which we will carry onboard. Our crew members have been helping the huge team of volunteers to sort, pack and load #aid for the #Bahamas .

ED9pw9LWkAAbszq.jpg

Open link above to view other images

[Little h]

RFA Mounts Bay on twitter
‏ @RFAMountsBay

Mounts Bay is undertaking a vital replenishment at sea (RAS) from the USNS Leroy Grumman this morning to top up her fuel tanks. @USNavy #Dorian #MightyMounts #Bahamas #Abaco

EEGwGnRWsAA1Zs2.jpg

(open link to view other images)

[Little h]

Interesting statistic!!


NavyLookout on twitter
‏ @NavyLookout

.@RFALymeBay arriving on the Thames today. Moored in Greenwich for @lisw2019

First time a Bay class vessel has visited London

via @AJBC_1

EEHiVWlUYAQ8hiB.jpg large.jpg

[Pelican]

DISASTER RELIEF TEAMS LEAVE MOUNTS BAY AS SHIP READIES FOR COUNTER-DRUGS MISSION


BRITAIN’S permanent naval presence in the Caribbean has waved goodbye to its rescuers – as they prepare to tackle international drug runners.

RFA Mounts Bay is on a long-term mission assisting Britain’s overseas territories in the region, spending roughly one half of the year ready to respond to natural disasters (chiefly hurricanes and tropical storms), the other half working with US law enforcement agencies dedicated to stopping the flow of illegal drugs from South to North America – and the wider world.

Embarked throughout the relief mission phase of her deployment (May-June onwards until the end of the year) is a mixed military team of Army engineers, Royal Marines, soldiers who operate the Mexeflote powered raft and a Wildcat helicopter flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron.

Collectively, they form the ship’s dedicated Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) Troop – over 120 men and women – who work side-by-side with authorities across the Caribbean to explain what help they can offer… and see what facilities are available to them should the worst happen.

Continues with photos at:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... 2gb2dvUITk

[Brian James]

Bay Class Auxiliary Landing Ship Dock RFA Mounts Bay pictured in drydock at Falmouth as she commences her major refit,May 2020.

[Pelican]

CARDIGAN BAY CHEF NEARS 50 YEARS’ SERVICE IN THE RFA
30 September 2020

A ROYAL Fleet Auxiliary chef currently serving on RFA Cardigan Bay is getting ready to celebrate his 50th year in service in the Merchant Navy, the first person to achieve the accolade in the RFA.

Chief Petty Officer Chef, Martin Etwell (65) from Newbury, joined the RFA as a “Galley Boy” in May 1971 at the tender age of 16. After working in a bakery from the age of 15, CPO Etwell always had a keen interest in being a chef, and, with the promise of travelling the world whilst doing a job he’d love, he signed up to join the Merchant Navy.

Continues at:
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... in-the-rfa

[Brian James]

Bay Class LSD,RFA HMS Mounts Bay with Albion Class Assault Ship HMS Bulwark pictured at Grand Harbour Malta in November 2012.