HMS Protector parked off Grand Turk in July

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, August 5, 2022 – The British vessel aptly named HMS Protector promised to the Caribbean Overseas Territories in preparation for the hurricane season spent some days in late July in Grand Turk waters. Along with it is a team of hydrographers to practice surveying TCI beaches for emergency service landing spots.

Governor Nigel Dakin made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday July 27. Normally deployed in the frigid waters of the southernmost continent of icy Antarctica Dakin explained how the ship works to effectively protect the islands.

“As a Hurricane develops the expectation is HMS Protector tracks behind it and with her onboard capabilities and stores – and her crew – are the first responders coming to our or others aid.”

Additionally in the case of a storm a troop of Commando Engineers will be standing by to restart operations at the airport which Dakin had previously said was the main objective after any major storm to open the route for aid to arrive.

But that’s not all, “A team of UK military planners, from the UKs Joint Force HQ, will have flown in prior to a predicted strike and they will be embedded even before “Protector” arrives.”

In a show of commitment to the safety of the Turks and Caicos Islands the Governor explained that should it be requested by him or the Premier, 600 UK troops are on call to offer aid.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Montserrat – which are UK Overseas territories in the Caribbean region – have been extremely blessed so far this hurricane season with no disturbances aimed their way.

The BVI experienced heavy rain and wind from hurricane Alex but did not sustain serious damage.