Crew of HMS Trent undergo disaster relief training as hurricane season begins

As the hurricane season gets underway, sailors and disaster relief specialists from HMS Trent have met emergency responders from one of the USA's largest metropolitan areas to prepare for the challenges a natural disaster can bring.

The ship's crew, along with members of their Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) troop of embarked forces, were invited to see how specialist teams at Tampa's Emergency Operations Centre coordinate response to disaster at the city's firefighting headquarters.

Tampa, on the west coast of Florida, has a population of nearly 3.5 million people over an area the size of North Yorkshire. Since the turn of the millennium, the region has repeatedly been battered by tropical storms and hurricanes.

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One succession of storms in particular – Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton – caused £3.8bn of damage and prompted the evacuation of over five million people.

Ready on standby 

The River-class offshore patrol vessel is currently deployed to the Caribbean – as this year's storm season has already begun – carrying supplies, equipment and specialists which can help restore basic amenities in the wake of a disaster.

Should the worst happen, and she is mobilised to assist, alongside her ship's company of around 50 personnel, bringing engineering expertise, first aid, leadership, and the physical strength needed to distribute relief supplies, Trent can also call upon her embarked troops.

24 Commando Royal Engineers Crisis Response Troop can provide communications, engineering and airlift support, while Scout Flight from 700X Naval Air Squadron, operating Puma, Malloy, and AANAFI drones, can conduct reconnaissance and deliver equipment and essential supplies to areas that are otherwise difficult to reach.

As part of their mission, the Portsmouth-based ship visited British Overseas Territories and Commonwealth nations across the region, meeting with local disaster and crisis response experts, sharing plans, ideas and expertise, and also highlighting what she can provide in the immediate aftermath of a storm, earthquake, or volcanic eruption.

Strengthening readiness 

After demonstrating some of these capabilities to civic leaders and authorities in Tampa, the ship's crew were invited to the City of Tampa's Office of Emergency Management's emergency operations centre and Tampa Fire Rescue's Fire Station 1, which serves as the HQ for nearly two dozen fire houses (stations) across the city, plus two dedicated rescue stations.

The visit highlighted the shared interest in disaster response, humanitarian assistance, and humanitarian relief operations, while reinforcing the importance of international cooperation between the two nations.

"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," said Lieutenant Commander Kelly Jenkins-Hill, Officer in Charge of Operation Ventus – the codename for any relief mission enacted by HMS Trent.

Meanwhile, 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."