HMS Lancaster to visit the British Virgin Islands
HMS Lancaster will visit the island of Tortola on 30th June as part of her six-month deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.
HMS Lancaster
One of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, HMS Lancaster, will visit the island of Tortola in the British Overseas Territory of the British Virgin Islands on 30th June as part of her six-month deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.
Lancaster, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Queen’s Frigate’ after her sponsor Her Majesty The Queen, will visit all six of the British Overseas Territories in the region as well as numerous Commonwealth and Caribbean countries in order to conduct regional defence engagement. These visits will provide the opportunity to train with other navies as well as demonstrate the Royal Navy’s continued commitment to the region.
HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Moorhouse, said: “It is with great pride that Lancaster visits the British Virgin Islands - the fourth of the British Overseas Territories that Lancaster has visited during her deployment. The relationship between the islands and the Royal Navy goes back hundreds of years and I am looking forward to continuing that relationship by working with the Governor and the emergency services during our stay.”
As well as providing reassurance and security for British Overseas Territories, Lancaster’s deployment will also see her undertake a range of other tasks across the Caribbean in support of British interests. These include the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations.
The crew of HMS Lancaster are especially looking forward to visiting the British Virgin Islands as it will be the first time to the island for many of the sailors. The opportunity to explore the wonders of a new Caribbean island, sample its culture and meet with the locals will provide the crew with a well earned rest in between high tempo operations. Not to mention a trip to the home of Pussers rum.