MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Scott joins the search for the missing Chilean C130 Hercules

HMS Scott is equipped as a specialist ocean survey vessel, but her highly skilled crew is also able to support Search and Rescue tasks. (Pic MoD)

The Royal Navy vessel HMS Scott arrived on Sunday in the search area, to provide support to the Chilean military in their response to the loss of a C130 that went missing earlier in the week in the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

British Forces’ South Atlantic Islands, based in the Falklands Islands and Falkland Island Governement have provided assistance to the search effort working with regional neighbors.

They have provided a UK military liaison team, who had been working with an A400M, crewed with RAF personnel and air-to-surface spotters from the Grenadier Guards Support Company that had been on task since Tuesday, and remain embedded in the Chilean Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre continuing to coordinate the UK maritime contribution including HMS Scott.

The international search effort is under the command of the CNS Sargento Aldeya. HMS Scott is equipped as a specialist ocean survey vessel, but her highly skilled crew is also able to support Search and Rescue tasks.

Commander James Baker, HMS SCOTT Commanding Officer said: “What has happened to the Chilean C130 in the South Atlantic ocean this week is a tragedy, and my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those involved and the people of Chile. HMS SCOTT stands ready to provide assistance to the search and recovery effort”.

The C130 aircraft disappeared over the South Atlantic on Monday but days later, debris believed to be from the plane, was found. Officials said they believed all 38 people aboard the plane are dead.