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UK Navy’s most ‘advanced destroyer’ docks in VI

Regarded as the Royal Navy’s most advanced destroyer, HMS Dauntless docked in Road Town, Tortola on September 11, 2023, and will reportedly be in the VI’s waters this week as part of a routine visit. Photo: VINO
On the first day of the visit, September 11, 2023, by HMS Dauntless, the Governor attended a lunch with members of the BVI National Security Council, the ship’s Commanding Officer and other key individuals. The Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr The Hon Karl Dawson (R1), Acting Commissioner of Police, Acting Attorney General and the Director of Disaster Management were in attendance. Photo: GIS
On the first day of the visit, September 11, 2023, by HMS Dauntless, the Governor attended a lunch with members of the BVI National Security Council, the ship’s Commanding Officer and other key individuals. The Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr The Hon Karl Dawson (R1), Acting Commissioner of Police, Acting Attorney General and the Director of Disaster Management were in attendance. Photo: GIS
HMS Dauntless is equipped with a Wildcat helicopter. Photo: GIS
HMS Dauntless is equipped with a Wildcat helicopter. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Regarded as the Royal Navy’s most advanced destroyer, HMS Dauntless docked in Road Town, Tortola on September 11, 2023, and will reportedly be in the VI’s waters this week as part of a routine visit.

Whilst here, the crew will meet with members of the National Security Council, host a disaster exercise, and conduct an on-water search and rescue exercise.

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG in a statement spoke of the might of HMS Dauntless.

HMS Dauntless is the Royal Navy’s most advanced destroyer,” Governor Rankin said, adding that the vessel has been deployed to the Caribbean to support British Overseas Territories during hurricane season and to counter drugs trafficking in the region.

He said HMS Dauntless recently seized 1.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated $175m while patrolling an area in the Caribbean Sea and that the ship’s Wildcat helicopter, Royal Marines and the US Coast Guard were all deployed to intercept the suspect boat.

“The team aboard HMS Dauntless will meet with key partners to ensure that they are ready to respond effectively should their support be required.

Safety & security of VI people ‘is my top priority’- Rankin

“The safety and security of the people of the Virgin Islands is my top priority. We must all remain prepared this hurricane season, and I am grateful that HMS Dauntless has been able to visit to demonstrate the assistance it can provide, Governor Rankin stated.

He also said on the first day of the visit, the Governor attended a lunch with members of the BVI National Security Council, the ship’s Commanding Officer and other key individuals. The Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), Junior Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr The Hon Karl Dawson (R1), Acting Commissioner of Police St Clair Armory, Acting Attorney General Jo-Ann Williams-Roberts, and the Director of Disaster Management, Jason H. Penn, were in attendance.

According to the Governor, later in the week, HMS Dauntless will host a Disaster Relief Exercise on board in partnership with key local agencies.

This exercise will help the crew of HMS Dauntless to better understand how the BVI would deal with a disaster and demonstrate what support the ship would be able to provide. Additionally, HMS Dauntless will conduct an exercise with the Police Marine Unit and Virgin Islands Search and Rescue,” Mr Rankin stated.

23 Responses to “UK Navy’s most ‘advanced destroyer’ docks in VI”

  • ccc (12/09/2023, 13:16) Like (9) Dislike (46) Reply
    Hope the uk not trying to overthrow the elected government
    • Oh Boy... (12/09/2023, 13:33) Like (170) Dislike (11) Reply
      Prepared and Ready for the take over.. Yep. Help his here.
    • @ccc (12/09/2023, 13:59) Like (6) Dislike (19) Reply
      It is not likely given this is a schedule annual assignment for the ship but we know you can never trust the British.
    • bbb (13/09/2023, 10:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      They wouldn't need their most advanced nuclear destroyer. I think maybe two country police constables and a dog.
  • resident (12/09/2023, 13:35) Like (33) Dislike (5) Reply
    Great news! Welcome, Royal Navy! I remember how welcome and vital the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Police and other support was after Irma, and it got here so fast!. Thank you, UK.
    • @resident (12/09/2023, 18:54) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
      Your recollection of the help from them after Irma is different from most of us because they were busy but not effective.
  • ok (12/09/2023, 13:57) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    However this is annual trip to these parts of the woods.
  • idiats (12/09/2023, 14:01) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    Ah set ah mumoos
  • I wonder (12/09/2023, 14:06) Like (8) Dislike (17) Reply
    I wonder if they brought body bags like they did after Irma when they thought the people of the BVI were mostly dead.
  • Ho (12/09/2023, 14:52) Like (19) Dislike (9) Reply
    I hope the UK is trying to overcome the elected government
  • Looking (12/09/2023, 15:06) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    for Damain
  • 1 eye (12/09/2023, 17:08) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
    Looking for mark Collins arrest him before he returns he is destroying evidences
  • akon (12/09/2023, 17:25) Like (8) Dislike (29) Reply
    If a resident get caught with a gun you people act like fools. but here is a big large iron weapon name the Destroyer and its ok with most of yall. why is it name so and what is it in the earth to destroy? can it destroy a hurricane, flood etc. Babylon system will fall when the people eyes get open.
    • @ Akon (12/09/2023, 20:10) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      What? Stay of the weed
    • @akonhead (12/09/2023, 22:12) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      You really sit there trying to compare a ship built to protect its soil and a man with a gun ready to shoot over drugs money, woman, greed…??? Lol you are funny. You ever see them ships outside clubs shooting? Be for real. Why our men calling themselves killer? You open your damn eyes and stop typing bull.
      • akon (13/09/2023, 14:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        @akonhead.Explain protect soil please. Business and decent people carry guns for protection to, not only drug dealers. Y'all mind so small it's a shame.
        • @akon (14/09/2023, 05:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
          Ofcourse businesses and decent people carry guns I was suppose to sit down there and explain the whole 9 yards? I would figure it’s not a bunch of kids in the comments. I was responding directly to what was said and going based upon the facts of the situations we face regarding guns. Is it decent people being caught with guns here on Tortola? Decent people killing people with machine guns and burning boats? Exactly.
          Just like decent people have guns to protect, there are ships equipped with guns to do so as well on an extremely large scale. Be thankful cause we can’t even help ourselves in a world war.
  • P (12/09/2023, 17:39) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    It shock you all yes wanders will never end
  • @akon (12/09/2023, 19:51) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    You are one $tupId person.
  • Yes (13/09/2023, 08:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please STAY and help clean up the place
  • Present (13/09/2023, 23:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh look the police chief is in attendance rather than sending his lackeys as if it’s a community meeting.


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