The British naval vessel has spent six days stationed off Dominica and has achieved much following her short-notice rerouting to the island.
The multinational relief mission has included aid from US, Venezuelan and British military ships and the effort continues with the recent arrival of the Dutch ship Pelikaan to ensure unbroken support to the island.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “In the wake of the devastation caused in Dominica by Tropical Storm Erika the crew of RFA Lyme Bay has been able to provide vital and immediate aid in support of local communities on the island.

“This is exactly the role that the ship and its helicopter is deployed to undertake in the region and it is right that Britain supported Dominica when needed. The men and women onboard can be very proud of their efforts, helping the people of the island to rebuild their lives and return to normality.”

The British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Victoria Dean, summed up RFA Lyme Bay’s hard work: “I was so sorry, as was everyone in the Caribbean, to see the devastation that Tropical Storm Erika had on Dominica. In a few short hours, we saw just how vulnerable we all are to the effects of climate change.

Lyme Bay has a diverse team onboard made up from Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Royal Navy, Royal Marines plus Army engineers and logistic personnel. Everyone onboard has played their part in helping the islanders to begin to rebuild their lives.

The Commanding Officer of RFA Lyme Bay, Captain Paul Minter (RFA), explained: “I am very proud of my team which has been actively involved over the last week, both onboard and ashore, providing humanitarian and disaster relief to the island of Dominica after the devastating effects of Tropical Storm ERIKA.

In addition to the immediate support offered to the communities of Coulibistri, Colihaut, Dublanc and Bioche the ship’s Royal Navy Lynx helicopter has flown multiple missions across the island to deliver supplies, conduct surveys and evacuate a medical patient. Over 25 resupply flights moved approx two tons of stores per day to cut-off communities and allowed disaster managers and civil engineers to plan the continued recovery programme long after RFA Lyme Bay has departed.

Lt Max Cosby RN, one of the Lynx aircrew, commented: “It was impressive to see how much had been done to clear roads and open up access to the communities in the time we have spent on Dominica. Although there are recovery projects which will take many months to complete, the island’s disaster relief managers were clearly able to use the first-response assets of Lyme Bay to make a difference.”

A similar improvement was noted by the Officer Commanding HADR Troop, Captain Chris Swanwick (Royal Engineers), who said: “We have been able to achieve a lot over the past six days to help the local communities, clearing roads and buildings, many of which have been buried under several feet of mud, to make them accessible to residents. We have been making regular water drops to several nearby communities and have delivered over 20 tonnes of drinking water.

RFA Lyme Bay has now departed Dominica for Barbados and is now re-storing and preparing for further tasking in what is the most risky period for hurricanes in the region.