Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Lyme Bay is approaching the final phase of her tasking to assist the island of Dominica following Tropical Storm Erika. The British naval vessel has spent six days stationed off Dominica and has achieved much following her short-notice rerouting to the island.

The multinational relief mission has included aid from US, Venezuelan and British military ships to date, and the effort continues with the arrival of the Dutch ship Pelikaan to ensure unbroken support to Dominica.

The British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Victoria Dean, summed up RFA Lyme Bay’s hard work:

“I was so sorry, as was everyone in the UK, to see the devastation that Tropical Storm Erica had on Dominica. In a few short hours, we saw just how vulnerable we all are to the effects of climate change.

I am so pleased, therefore, that RFA Lyme Bay has made such a significant contribution to dealing with the worst of the storm’s aftermath. The ship’s crew has made a real difference to this very special island and to its people. I am very grateful – and very proud – of all that they have achieved.”

The ship has a diverse team of trained personnel ranging from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to the embarked military forces, all of whom have been involved in the ongoing efforts.

The Commanding Officer of RFA Lyme Bay, Captain Paul Minter (RFA), explained:

“The men and women of RFA Lyme Bay have been actively involved over the last week, both onboard and ashore, providing humanitarian and disaster relief to the island of Dominica after the devastating effects of Tropical Storm ERIKA.

The ship has provided a variety of services ranging from distributing much needed food and supplies to some of the more isolated and worst affected villages, to road clearance and clearing homes and community buildings buried under the mudslides which have caused so much damage.

I have been ashore to see for myself some of the damage that has been inflicted on the island, and to witness the results of all the hard work that has been completed by Lyme Bay to provide much needed assistance and restore a degree of normality. Our teams ashore have; amongst other projects; been successful in digging out vehicles, and clearing the school, church and communal washing facilities in the village of Coulibistri which was deluged by mudslides, whilst our teams onboard and ashore have produced and distributed over 6000 hot meals as well as other food and stores items to outlying communities.”

In addition to the immediate support offered to the communities of Coulibistrie, Colihaut, Dublanc and Bioche the ship’s Royal Navy Lynx helicopter flew to the villages of Grand Bay, Campbell, Boetica, Delices and Petite Savanne to drop off supplies, conduct surveys and evacuate a medical patient. Over 25 resupply flights moved approx 2 tons of stores per day to these cut-off communities and allowed disaster managers and civil engineers to plan the continued recovery programme long after RFA Lyme Bay has departed.

Lt Max Cosby RN, one of the Lynx aircrew commented:

“It was impressive to see how much had been done to clear roads and open up access to the communities in the time we have spent on Dominica. Although there are recovery projects which will take many months to complete the island’s disaster relief managers were clearly able to use the first-response assets of Lyme Bay to make a difference. ”
A similar improvement was noted by the Officer Commanding HADR Troop, Captain Chris Swanwick (Royal Engineers), who said:

“We have been able to achieve a lot over the past six days to help the local communities, clearing roads and buildings, many of which have been buried under several feet of mud, to make them accessible to residents. We have been making regular water drops to several nearby communities and have delivered over 20 tonnes of drinking water to date.

The Royal Marines, Royal Engineers, Royal Logistic Corps, and REME troops under my command have worked alongside personnel from the RFA, US Coastguard, and local authorities. Everyone involved has been exceptionally enthusiastic about the support we are providing in this tasking”.

RFA Lyme Bay has depleted her disaster relief stores and needs to resupply to ensure she is ready to offer further aid in the Caribbean should Tropical Storm Grace develop. The British ship arrived on 2nd Sept to continue the relief tasking begun by the recently departed USNS Comfort and her departure comes following the arrival of the HMNLS Pelikaan.