After death and devastation comes relief as HMS Trent helps hurricane-hit Jamaica

HMS Trent and her contingent of commandos have been providing humanitarian support in Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The Batch 2 River-class patrol vessel had already been pre-positioned in the Caribbean as part of the UK's permanent presence in the region.

Army Commandos from the Royal Engineers have now gone ashore to help assess and repair key infrastructure.

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One area that was hit hard by Hurricane Melissa was the northern coastal town of Falmouth, with the hospital being badly damaged.

But communities across Jamaica are now receiving targeted support from HMS Trent with her specialist personnel and equipment.

HMS Trent has a 75-strong crew, including specialist engineers who have deployed ashore to provide technical expertise in support of the recovery efforts.

Their work is focused on assessing infrastructure and carrying out emergency repairs, in coordination with the Jamaican authorities.

Drones have proved to be a real asset for the commandos, providing a bird's-eye view of the damage in real time.

A Royal Navy patrol vessel has maintained an ongoing presence in the Caribbean in recent years.

These vessels are ready to respond during hurricane season while also conducting counter-drug trafficking operations and offering wider support to the British Overseas Territories.

HMS Trent's deployment comes after the UK announced a wider package of support to Jamaica, including more than 3,000 shelter kits and 1,500 solar-powered lanterns to help those whose homes have been damaged and those without power.

A specialist rapid deployment team from the Foreign Office is also in Jamaica to provide consular assistance to affected British nationals.

Melissa, a category five hurricane, made landfall in Jamaica on 28 October.

According to the Red Cross, Melissa is the most powerful storm of 2025, and is the strongest to have hit Jamaica in modern history.

It said hundreds of thousands of people had been affected and at least 61 people have been killed in Jamaica and across the region.

Melissa had a catastrophic impact on Jamaica, bringing with it violent winds, flash flooding and landslides.

The Red Cross said the full extent of damage and casualties remains unknown due to constant communication disruptions, but reports suggest that around 30,000 people have been displaced.