Page 31 - KPA

A13
Wednesday 6 september 2017

Dutch Caribbean Forces Assist Authorities with Hurricane Irma

Zeeland is a Holland-class
patrol ship. She has a he-
licopter (NH90) and two
fast interceptors on board
(FRISC: the Fast Raiding In-
terception Special forces
Craft) that can be used as
personnel and equipment
ashore. In addition, the ship
has storage space for con-
tainers with auxiliary goods
and there is a crane on
board. There is also room
for boarding around 100
evacuees.

Main task Dutch military in
the Caribbean
Supporting civil and local
authorities is one of the
three main areas of De-
fense in the Caribbean.
Support prior, during and
after hurricane passages is
one in particular.
The last time units were de-
ployed was on the island of
Haiti after the passage of
Hurricane Matthew in Oc-
tober 2016.
ORANJESTAD - Yesterday Divided over two flights, damage assessment and Netherlands Caribbean Both ships(including heli-
military of the Dutch De- the first units arrived at Saint they can help restore the Forces with strategic trans- copter) and the military
fense in the Caribbean Martin Monday afternoon. infrastructure when and port capabilities. boots on the ground will
have left from both Cura- The boots on the ground where necessary. It has the ability to transfer provide support on the
cao and Aruba to support come from the 32nd Raid- The Pelikaan is the support 77 persons in total includ- SSS Islands for at least one
local authorities of Saint ing Squadron of the Royal ship of the Commander ing a 15 headed crew. The week as of yesterday.q
Martin, Saba and Statia Netherlands Marine Corps
(SSS Islands) in their prepa- (RNLMC) stationed at Aru-
rations for hurricane Irma. ba, complemented by mi-
litia of Aruba.
Hurricane Irma is a hurri- From Sint Maarten these
cane with a force that has units have been divided
already reached category over the three islands. Their
5, and is riding towards the task is to support local au-
Leewards Island. It is ex- thorities with preparations
pected that these islands for hurricane Irma.
will be seriously damaged Tasks vary from manning
when Irma passes this shelters to supporting local
Wednesday morning. police in maintaining the
The islands are taking into curfew.
account stormy winds, a lot After Irma has passed, the
of rainfall and local floods. ships HNLMS Zeeland and
Due to the vulnerable infra- HNLMS Pelikaan will arrive
structure on these islands, in the area.
this is where most damage
is expected after Irma pass- They support with person-
es. As a precaution, the lo- nel and materials from Aru-
cal authorities of the SSS ba (Zeeland) and Curacao
Islands have requested ad- (Pelikaan). Curacao sta-
ditional assistance from the tioned Infantry Company
Dutch military in the Carib- and Curacao militia forces
bean. will be on board HNLMS
Pelikaan. The units, can
Units provide assistance with the