UK Royal Naval Ship HMS Argyll To Standby

October 16, 2014

[Updated] Premier Michael Dunkley confirmed that the UK Royal Naval ship HMS Argyll is heading towards Bermuda, and will be on standby  to provide assistance should we need any after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Premier said: “Out of an abundance of caution, the Royal Navy vessel HMS Argyll is heading to Bermuda behind the storm and is available to provide considerable, skilled assistance should we have the need after the hurricane passes Bermuda.”

In addition, BELCO has confirmed that power company crews from Barbados, British Virgin Islands & Dominica also on standby to come and assist with restoration efforts if needed.

The HMS Argyll is pictured below during a past visit to Bermuda:

argyllllll

For all our coverage of Tropical Storm Fay click here, for all our coverage of Hurricane Gonzalo click here, and for our live blog covering both Gonzalo and Fay click here.

Update: Regiment CO Lt Col Michael Foster-Brown said the Royal Navy’s HMS Argyll and its crew of more than 180 sailors plus a Lynx helicopter was steaming towards Bermuda, with up to 90 sailors potentially to be based at Warwick Camp to help with storm recovery.

Col Foster-Brown said, “The helicopter can project forward 200 miles and could arrive in Bermuda on Saturday, with Argyll following on Sunday.

“Regiment soldiers have trained in aircraft operations on overseas deployments and it will be a very useful addition for things like damage reconnaissance of the Island and casualty evacuation if necessary.”

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Comments (36)

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  1. Carlos says:

    Well done Govt for reaching out for help. I seem to recall the PLP turning the navy away in 2003. Ridiculous.

    • right is right says:

      And we managed without the Brits…

    • Sailboat says:

      Question is what can the guys on Argyll do that we already cannot. Besides extra people to sweep the streets the only advantage they will be able to offer is a helicopter to survey damage. I suspect it was on the basis of this limited ability to add value to the recovery effort that then-Premier Scott said, “no thank you.” What’s so ridiculous about telling the world, “we got this?” Truth of the matter is that Bermuda does hurricane/storm recovery very well. To the extent that the regiment event takes its talent overseas..

      What’s ridiculous is that some people probably only cleaned up their own yards and offered no assistance beyond their own boundaries. I ain’t throwing no stones…but cast aspersions on those types instead.

    • JustAskin2 says:

      So exactly do we need them (although appreciate the offer)? The hurricane is over and Bermuda was not exactly decimated.

  2. marge says:

    Thank God we are still a dependent of Britain.

    • Kunta says:

      With de amount of money we give her every year we could’ve bought our own.

      • Creamy says:

        So how much money do we send to Britain every year? Another one of your myths.

        • Kunta says:

          Hey Creepy, about $2 million a year, next !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • bdaboy says:

        …and let it rust?

        • Kunta says:

          An Island surrounded by water and don’t even have a Navy or a small fleet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
          Pathetic

          • Lebron says:

            We are a British territory, why would we want pay for one?

            Have you not noticed HMS Argyll heading for the island?

      • Build a Better Bermuda says:

        We can barely keep our tugs, ferries, buses, regiment, police, W&E, civil service… etc. funded, and how exactly would we pay for, maintain and staff a naval vessel. It is get far more for our money with Britian than we do if we had to pay for these services ourselves.

        • Sailboat says:

          Easy, streamline the entire government, reduce the bloated civil service, shrink the volume of business…

          Bermuda’s land mass and business engine does not generate the volume of revenue to sustain the population. The population needs to reduce by about 15-20,000 people to a level where there is a better balance between the available resources and the demands on those resources.

          • JustAskin2 says:

            What are you suggesting — getting rid of the foreigners and PRCs or getting rid of Bermudians?

            • Sailboat says:

              Bermuda is my home. I was, and at least two generations before me were, born here and I have no intentions of giving away that birthright.

              The numbers need to reduce. If a country can’t feed itself then the balance is all wrong.

        • JustAskin2 says:

          I take that Bermuda has to pay for the UK services provided…

  3. Unbelievable says:

    Oohhhh this must annoy the hell out of the PLP.

    • ClearView says:

      Why would it? Didn’t the last attempt at independence come under a then UBP government? PLP have never put independence to the people.

      • Unbelievable says:

        I never mentioned anything about independence. Who mentioned anything about it?

        I admit its a little “clammy” of me to say that above but I think it actually makes sense. I mean, they are on stand-by IN CASE Bermuda needs additional assistance. No big deal, right?

        • Sailboat says:

          If you ever served, and had any pride in that service, you would know that it actually is a big deal.

  4. USObserverInPinkSand says:

    Shut up and count your blessings on both sides. It’s a miracle that Bermuda even exists in the middle of the ocean without a piece of land in sight for 700 miles. One poof of wind or tidal wave and your gone…

    • Whistling Frog says:

      I hope your counting your blessing too… You are a miracle also, considering the odds of you beating the millions of others little homies chasing your a** up stream to that egg…

      • learnhowtospell says:

        You’re. Not your. I realize it’s a difficult concept for many.

        • Sailboat says:

          Actually, the spelling is correct; it’s just the incorrect word.

    • bdaboy says:

      Miracle? or result of a rupture in the earths crust. I know americans attribute everything to their gods, but thankfully, many people understand science.

  5. DB says:

    UMMM why ?????

  6. JUNK YARD DOG says:

    They have a fantastic football team

    Because they are not “Kick and Rush”.

  7. MAKE MY DAY says:

    Bring plenty of RUM…. When I did my RAF service (5 yrs regular) over 45 yrs ago + civilian work at Luton and Stansted airports in Air Traffic Control (this is REAL) + working for *Servisair* as a duty officer for 2 yrs… I had had enough of airplanes and all the BS associated with them!!!

    HASTA LA VISTA…..BABY!!!!

  8. Smiths says:

    At the very least…let the ship in and use the sailors to assist in clearing of debris and assisting with covering homes with tarps etc. It’ll be a hundred extra pairs of hands to help already tired and mentally drained residents.

  9. Seascape says:

    Thank you OBA.

  10. bc says:

    Well done…any kind of assistance is welcome..in times of natural disaster you cannot afford to turn away help..well done premier…its nice to see someone as premier for a change who seems to give a damn about us civilians!!two thumbs up!

  11. Annie says:

    I’m happy that the Premier has accepted help. I never did understand why the PLP turned a ship away when Fabian hit. We all know that Bermudians are self-sufficient but this is no time to be proud.

    Uh, oh-lights are flickering…I suspect this will be my last post!

  12. PaperBermujan says:

    Shunning assistance that is genuinely offered, whether its cost has already been paid for by taxation or not, is really dumb. Sure, I am proud of Bermuda for being as self sufficient as it is, but if there are extra hands to help out, why let stupid pride stand in its way – that shows a lot of insecurity.
    I don’t see any complaints from anyone about the help being solicited by BELCO from the Caribbean – Hmmmm…..