MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South Atlantic patrol HMS Iron Duke pays humanitarian visit to Haiti

HMS Iron Duke

HMS Iron Duke has paid an historic visit to Haiti, the first British naval vessel to the island nation since RFA Largs Bay delivered earthquake aid in 2010. Iron Duke is now reaching the end of her six month deployment of the South Atlantic and marked her entry into the Port of Cap Haitien with a 21 gun salute.

 The Type 23 frigate spent two days at anchor hosting local dignitaries, officials and a number of UN workers as well as acting as a venue for an important regional meeting on immigration.

But it was also an opportunity for the ship’s company to get involved in several community projects including the renovation and restoration of a local town square and helping to rebuild a popular footbridge.

More than 100 personnel took part in these projects working alongside their UN colleagues based at Cap Haitien.

During the work the Mayor of Cap Haitien and the British Ambassador both visited and thanked the Iron Duke team for their efforts.

And while this was happening, the ship’s medical team spent their time working in Cap Haitien at the British run “Haiti Hospital Appeal” – a charity established to help reduce the high maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.

Surgeon Lieutenant Rosie Miller, said: “This was without doubt the most rewarding experience of the deployment for me.

“Being able to provide something really meaningful, and potentially life-saving, means so much to me and I hope that this will make a real difference to the community.”
Not ones to miss a chance, the ship’s football team also set about playing against a strong local team who quickly set about demonstrating their superior skills beating the Iron Duke squad 4-0.

The last British naval vessel to visit Haiti was Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Largs Bay in February 2010.

She arrived in country carrying tons of Department for International Development (DfID), charity and non-governmental aid following a devastating earthquake which killed as many as 200,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless.

HMS Iron Duke will shortly begin her journey back to Portsmouth where she is due in time for Christmas.