The Royal Navy joins the elite storm chasing fraternity by chasing down Hurricane Dean. Preparing to help those in need, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Wave Ruler have been following Hurricane Dean through the Caribbean as it swept towards Central America. Follow along with these brave sailors on their humanitarian mission.

"The ships’ Lynx helicopters carried out an aerial survey of Grand Cayman last night, but damage proved to be less severe than initially feared. As a result, the ships were re-tasked to follow in the hurricane’s wake as it swept towards the mainland coast. Hurricane Dean is now reported to have increased in intensity to Category Five, and to have made landfall on the Yucatan peninsula. Areas potentially at risk in Central America include Belize, which is part of the Commonwealth.

The ships’ companies of both ships have continued to make preparations for humanitarian disaster relief .with specialist teams to provide first aid, heavy and light rescue and logistic support.

Before arriving at the Caymans, Commander Mike Utley, HMS Portland’s Commanding Officer, said: “Our ship’s companies are well placed to deal with such disasters and are ready to offer whatever assistance they can in the form of first aid, provision of food and water and later on help with the regeneration of the islands’ infrastructure”.

The two ships currently form the Atlantic Patrol Task (North), with the aim of providing disaster relief to Caribbean dependent territories during the hurricane season. At other times, the ships conduct Maritime Counter Narcotics operations and wider regional engagements covering the Atlantic and western Pacific.

HMS Portland is one of the Royal Navy’s Duke Class, Type 23 Frigates. Home to 180 men and women, she is well equipped to carry out a broad range of military and humanitarian tasks. As a multi-purpose frigate her weaponry includes a 4.5 inch gun, Harpoon and Seawolf missile systems and she carries the versatile Mark 8 Lynx helicopter. At 133 metres in length and with a displacement of 4,800 tonnes, the frigate is powered by 2 Rolls Royce gas turbine engines, supported by 4 diesel generators.

RFA Wave Ruler is a fast fleet tanker capable of replenishing warships at sea. She is a diesel electric ship - which means she is driven by an electric motor, powered by diesel generators - and takes advantage of the latest propulsion control technology.

RFA Wave Ruler was built by BAE Systems, being launched in 2001 and accepted into service in 2003. She is 196.5 metres long, displaces 31,500 tonnes, has a speed of 18 knots and has a ship’s company of 80 RFA and 22 RN personnel. She has a flight deck and hangar and has also carries a Lynx helicopter."