Help from UK relief ship rejected by Premier Smith
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Mounts Bay, which is in the Caribbean region for the next three years, and is currently doing a routine check with all the British Overseas Territories (BOTs), has been assisting in disaster preparedness and crime fighting and officials of the vessel had met with personnel from the Department of Disaster Management while in the Virgin Islands late last month.
But according to Premier Dr The Hon D. Orlando Smith (AL), help from RFA Mounts Bay was not needed and it was told to “stand down”.
In a press statement late August 11, 2017, Premier Smith said his Government has been communicating with the UK authorities and other regional partners since the storm began on Monday August 7, 2017.
Stand down
“The UK Ministry of Defence immediately put RFA Mounts Bay, including, its crew and assets on standby and instructed the ship to sail closer to BVI to assist if requested to do so. But given that our local authorities have made substantial progress in clearing roads and restoring power, and the significant assistance of the community, the ship was stood down and returned to its previous tasking,” the Premier and Minister of Finance disclosed.
It is not clear if the help was rejected by this Government or whether the decision to not send the RFA Mounts Bay back to the VI was made by UK authorities and on whose assessment.
Only yesterday, August 11, 2017 a concerned resident had called for a fly over just to make sure no one else was trapped in their homes or somewhere else.
The woman said she felt compelled to make the public appeal after learning of the case of Lauren Keil, who was rescued from her Hodges Creek Home on August 10, 2017.
A helicopter operation conducted on July 24, 2017 by members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Mounts Bay had resulted in some 20 marijuana fields being spotted in the Territory.
And yesterday also, the Rotary Club of Tortola called for "all hands on deck" to assist in the clean-up of Road Town.
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39 Responses to “Help from UK relief ship rejected by Premier Smith”
I am at a loss as to why he stood down the RFA ship though, perhaps humble pie gives Doc a bad taste?
Why? Well sah, Mai boi! Just cannot fathom the decision to turn down the help from the UK ship. All around the territory people are complaining that the situation is horrible. Dr. Macthavious, acting governor, needs to show some courage and intervene. The territory needs the help so let's stop the nonsense. This is not good governance nor smart politics; it is not even good political correctedness. It is time for national unity, not politics. Politics will have a time and place later. Now is the time for all residents to pitch in and pull the wagon. It looks like it is going to be a rough season for the Vi, for one wave passed through but a next one is fast approaching. It is going to be a rough row to hoe for the BVI so it needs all the help it can get. There is no shame in asking for help. The $15M spent on fixing the roads was washed out to sea. More money is going to be needed to fix the roads. Please design, construct and maintain the roads properly; get experience people to construct the roads. Tola roads mash up and St. Thomas' functioning? The only silver lining in this dark, gathering cloud is that it may create the opportunity for some temporary employment. Will the economic boost make the economy robust? No.
"It is not clear if the help was rejected by this Government or whether the decision to not send the RFA Mounts Bay back to the VI was made by UK authorities and on whose assessment." The Premier didn't have to call back the shop when we are handling the situation with all the local help we have. Look most of the roads are motorable. No deaths, no hospitalization, no need for medical help. So why bring them here??? Then it would be correct to say we can't handle anything like this as a country and people.. we have to show big brother that we are capable and when it is beyond our control yes I agree call in help!! The help we not rejected. It was carefully considered and politically and correctly stood down. NOT REJECTED!
on behalf of the UK. Do understand that is a show of purpose. The emergency and search and rescue aspects
of the British Navy are fine, but then it gets muddied by the drug fetish. Using the military because someone
has grown weed. I mean, really.
The decision of allowing the RFA to provide the necessary assistance is not a matter for the Premier to decide, however, it is the acting governor who is the head of State. Hon. Premier you have crossed the line and you will live to regret. The ship will eventually be allowed to come on shore if the Foreign and Commonwealth Office sees the necessity to provide assistance.
Every week, someone brings up independence but we can't and don't even want to handle our own affairs amidst disaster?