First responders from around the Territory joined officers from aboard the Royal Navy’s HMS Trent on Monday for a demonstration of an uncrewed quadcopter capable of carrying 150 pounds.                                                                                                                          

Director of Disaster Management Mr. Jasen Penn said that after a serious impact that damages the transportation network, the capacity to receive airdrop supplies could save lives.

HMS Trent Commander Gavin Lowe said aviation specialists launched the Malloy T-150B uncrewed aerial system from the Trent deck for the first time just two weeks ago. The device has imaging systems, can fly for 40 minutes, and has a top speed of 60 miles per hour. 

Aviation specialists and VI response representatives tested the Malloy’s capacity to make a drop between islands on Monday, delivering supplies from Peter Island to nearby Dead Chest.

“Monday’s test was a successful demonstration of how uncrewed aircraft like the Malloy drone can rapidly reach remote locations that might not be accessible at all by land vehicles,” Mr. Penn said.

His Excellency the Governor Daniel Pruce formally welcomed Commander Gavin Lowe and the crew to the Territory aboard the ship Monday morning.

“It’s a real pleasure to have you here with us as part of the regular deployment of the Royal Navy in the region during the hurricane season,” Mr. Pruce said.

Key members of the Trent crew, which includes specialists in a range of fields including medicine, logistics, and humanitarian aid and disaster relief; joined emergency operations officers for a tabletop exercise to discuss major hurricane response procedures in the Territory. 

Mr. Penn said, “Discussion based exercises enhance our understanding of the ship’s capabilities and limits, and give the military teams insight into the Virgin Islands terrain and operational context.”

The Director added that during the tabletop, local first response agency representatives shared experiences with Hurricane Irma and more recently, Tropical Storm Ernesto; while Trent crew shared lessons learned from a deployment in Falmouth, Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl. 

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About the Department of Disaster Management:

The Department of Disaster Management was established to protect lives and maintain a resilient, sustainable economy and society by fostering comprehensive disaster management and climate change adaptation as a way of life. The Virgin Islands disaster management programme is accredited by the Emergency Management Accreditation Programme. 

About the HMS Trent:                   

HMS Trent is a 90-metre ship based in Portsmouth currently patrolling the Caribbean to provide emergency relief for the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Ships in this class are designed with a large working deck to carry additional stores, small vehicles or medical facilities. The Trent deck can land helicopters up to a Merlin class.