British navy in talks with Govt

This is according to Budd and Stew who told Sunday Newsday at a reception held aboard the RFA Wave Knight on Friday evening at the Port of Port-of-Spain that they held talks with National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, Chief of Defence Staff of Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London while in Trinidad and Tobago.

They both noted, however, the TT defence authorities and the British security services already enjoy good relationships.

Apart from providing disaster relief, Budd said their presence in the region has had some measure of success in drug interdiction.

Their one week sojourn in Tobago included repairs and painting of two schools, and the office of the Child Welfare League.

“We did a simulated a real life disaster relief exercise with TEMA (Tobago Emergency Management Agency),” Budd said to ensure maximum operability in and after a disaster, the timely dissemination of information, and that relief meets those who need them as quickly as possible. “I think it was successful,” he said.

In addition five cadets of the TT Coast Guard were given some time aboard the vessel and they also travelled to Trinidad with the Wave Knight crew.

On Friday, some members of the 100 crew on board took part in maintenance works on an orphanage in Trinidad.

Up to a few days ago, he said that a crew from the US Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, with which they cooperate on drug interdiction operations, were on board. They are due to rejoin the vessel shortly, he said.

Asked about any recent success in terms of drug interdiction during the current term of duty, Budd said, “I can’t say anything now.” However, on the sister ship RAF Wave Ruler on which he served between 2008 and 2010, he said, “We captured about nine tons of cocaine over a three-year period.” He said, “We have had a considerable amount of success in drug interdiction while cooperating with other national authorities out there. We all cooperate to try to prevent the scourge of drug spreading in and out of the region.” The vessel which has been in Caribbean waters since July, will remain until February next year. It is part of the Royal Navy’s presence in the region to provide emergency assistance in the time of natural disasters to British overseas territories.

“We also help out any other island that needs help after a disaster,” Budd said.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, he said the Wave Knight went to the Bahamas which was badly hit. Though they helped in cleaning up and recovery in Nassau, he said, their focus was on North Andros Island where many houses had been flattened.

The helicopter aboard the vessel which has the capacity to carry men and cargo, he said, took food and water and other disaster relief to the island. In addition, the helicopter flew senior government officials to survey the damage among other islands.

Last year, Wave Knight also gave assistance to Dominica after Tropical Storm Erica wreaked havoc on the island.

Wave Knight will leave Trinidad tomorrow. The crew is hoping to take part in the Memorial Day Parade in Montserrat next Sunday in honour of those who died in World Wars I and II.