MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

RFA Lyme Bay has sailed on a mission to Tristan da Cunha

RFA<i> Lyme Bay</i><br>

The MoD reported that RFA Lyme Bay was preparing to sail to Tristan da Cunha, where urgent repairs to the main harbour are required.

Those embarked include 40 Royal Engineers, a Royal Logistic Corps detachment and a medical support team from the Royal Navy. Lyme Bay is also carrying cement and plant such as bulldozers and cement mixers. Tristan da Cunha is the world's most isolated community, situated 1800 miles west of Cape Town in the South Atlantic and nearly 5,000 miles from Portland, Lyme Bay's home port. Their harbour is the principal method of access to the islanders for people, supplies and trade, its loss would result in some privation and difficulties for the islanders and may result in a total or partial evacuation to be considered. It has been undermined by the South Atlantic swell and is in need of temporary repair prior to a major refurbishment due to commence in the summer Tristan and five smaller islands are dependencies of St Helena and thus part of the UK's Overseas Territories. According to the MoD, a total or partial evacuation of Tristan's 270 inhabitants "may need to be considered". (RN)