Royal Navy heroes finish 6-day Jamaica mission after Hurricane Melissa | World | News
The Royal Navy has completed a six-day operation in Jamaica following the devastating Hurricane Melissa. Patrol ship HMS Trent has set sail for Jamaica’s north coast, days after the strongest hurricane to hit the Caribbean island made landfall.
The Category 5 hurricane caused extensive damage in Jamaica, killing 32 people and causing widespread destruction with winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. HMS Trent’s focus was on the repair of vital public services, including hospitals and schools. The warship, based in the Caribbean region, provided significant assistance and had specialized personnel, including engineers, on board to carry out repairs.
A team of 76 people helped replace seven roofs on the hospital, which the Navy said was completely blown away by Melissa.
While engineers rebuilt the building’s structural framework, other staff worked to restore the medical facility’s water supply.
Sailors also helped clear rubble and clean the wards.
The local school has also been cleared and cleaned, with children set to return to classrooms later this month.
Approximately 120 aid boxes filled with hygiene supplies were also brought ashore.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister said last week that the country had suffered damage to homes and key infrastructure equivalent to 28% to 32% of the country’s 2024 GDP.
Andrew Holness said an estimate of around £4.5bn to £5.3bn was conservative, Reuters news agency reported.
While 72 people died in Haiti during the hurricane, Cuba was also hit.
HMS Trent is the third of the Navy’s five new Offshore Patrol Ships.
It was designed for missions such as anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, humanitarian aid and border patrol.
The ship had reached the Caribbean several weeks before being sent to support Jamaica.
It is in the region to support the British Overseas Territories during hurricane season and conduct counter-narcotics operations.
Illegal drugs worth £750 million were seized on the ship by 2024, according to the Navy.
