Members of the nearly 200-member crew of the HMS Argyll spent their two days in the territory laying the groundwork just in case the ship needs to return to the Virgin Islands sometime this summer to offer assistance in the wake of a hurricane or other disaster.
Establishing good communication before an emergency happens is critical to make sure that the ship can offer support in a crisis, Lieutenant Commander Chris Ansell said Thursday morning.
“From being on the right radio channel to having the right person’s phone number, to knowing the person you’re talking to, communication is everything, so that you can then react quickly in a coordinated way,” he said.
The territory seems well prepared for an emergency, he added.
“We know that the preparedness here is extremely advanced, so our goal is to see how we can work alongside your government,” Mr. Ansell said.
The Argyll will be in the Caribbean for the duration of the summer hurricane season.
See the July 24, 2014 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}