'Strengthens our readiness': Royal Navy sailors prepare for hurricane season after disasters cause huge damage

Disaster relief specialists in the Royal Navy have been preparing for hurricane season while gearing up for potential disasters.

The ship’s company aboard HMS Trent are organising themselves for upcoming ops in the Caribbean. Personnel from the ship and members of their Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief troop of embarked forces (HADR) were invited to see how US specialists deal with similar procedures.

Teams from Tampa’s Emergency Operations Centre coordinate response to disaster and the city’s firefighting HQ. Tampa, Florida, has been increasingly hit by tropical storms since the turn of the millennium. A succession of storms across the Bay area in 2024 alone – Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton – caused £3.8bn damage.

Lieutenant Commander Kelly Jenkins-Hill is the officer in charge of Operation Ventus, the codename for any relief mission enacted by HMS Trent. Speaking about the link up, she said: “This was an excellent opportunity to engage with civil authorities, gaining insight into their hurricane and disaster response planning and management, which directly strengthens our readiness.”

The storm season in the Caribbean has officially begun. HMS Trent is awash with relief supplies and equipment, alongside military specialists experienced in restoring basic amenities in the wake of a disaster. The Portsmouth-based ship is tasked with visiting British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth nations: sharing plans, ideas, and expertise with local experts.

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After demonstrating some of her capabilities to civic leaders and authorities in Tampa during a logistics/maintenance stop in the port, the ship’s company were invited to the City of Tampa’s Office of Emergency Management’s emergency operations centre (EOC) and Tampa Fire Rescue’s Fire Station 1. Known as The Big House, its the HQ for nearly two dozen fire stations across the city, and two rescue stations.

If called to respond to a disaster, HMS Trent can call upon her embarked troops. These include 24 Commando Royal Engineer’s Crisis Response Troop, as well as 700X Naval Air Squadron who have Puma aircraft, and Malloy and ANAFI drones, at their disposal.

Riley Tuff, City of Tampa’s Office of Emergency Management’s Lead Emergency Planner said, “It was a pleasure to welcome the crew from HMS Trent of the Royal Navy. The crew discussed their ship's capabilities to provide medical treatment, extraction, and drone support to assist with hurricane response and recovery. Partnerships like these strengthen preparedness and help build more resilient communities.”