HMS Mersey, the current Atlantic Patrol Task (North) platform will visit Montserrat from 25 – 28 April. The Ship will engage in a range of operational and community activities which will include training and exercising with the key Montserrat disaster and incident response agencies, a reception at Government House and other social and recreational activities.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Hewitt, said: “It is the fifth UKOT Mersey will have visited since departing the UK in January, I am looking forward to anchoring Mersey in Montserrat to continue to show the Royal Navy’s commitment to UK Overseas Territories, as well as working with Montserrat disaster
and incident organisations.”
HMS Mersey is an Offshore Patrol Vessel, smaller than the frigates and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels that have visited Montserrat in the past. Unfortunately, due to lack of easy access, it will not be possible to arrange visits to the ship by the general public. She is unable to dock at the Little Bay jetty due to the shallow depth of the water.
The disaster exercise on 26 April will work through a theoretical scenario and will engage the ship with the key local preparedness and response agencies. There will be a live element which will allow the ship to test its deployment of a shore party and co-ordination point.
