British naval patrol ship calls on Cayman

HMS Severn in George Town, Cayman Islands

(CNS): The UK’s Royal Naval ship, HMS Severn, arrived in Cayman on Sunday for a short visit, having already paid a call on nine islands in the region over the last few weeks as it patrols the Caribbean Sea. The ship replaced HMS Argyll last month and it will remain in the region until July to provide maritime security, disaster relief capability and counter-narcotics support to the British overseas territories and to promote the Royal Navy as a viable career for young people.

A River-class offshore patrol vessel with a relatively shallow draft, the Severn was able to come alongside the port of George Town’s north terminal.

The ship played host to students from John Gray and Clifton Hunter High Schools as well as celebrity chefs here for the Cayman Cookout, and the commanding officer and other senior personnel visited the premier and the governor Monday.  While it is here the crew will be playing a football game against inmates serving at Northward before it heads to Barbados, its next port of call.

The crew will also meet with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Marine Unit to discuss counter-narcotics operations.