Commander praises Vincy crew members

The four Vincentians who are crew members on the Royal Navy ship, HMS Lancaster, have received high praise from the ship’s Commander.{{more}}

Chris Veira, Nazan Lewis, Jason Dean and Glenroy Peters were among the 190 crew aboard the ship that visited St Vincent and the Grenadines for four days, as part of the 34th anniversary of Independence celebrations. Veira is a Leading Supply Chain officer, Lewis a Steward, Dean a Leading Writer and Peters a Leading Steward (LStd).

“The four locals have been doing a fantastic job,” Commanding Officer Steve Moorhouse told SEARCHLIGHT.

The HMS Lancaster, a type-23 frigate, which is based in Portsmouth, UK, arrived at the cruise ship terminal last Friday as part of the Royal Navy’s commitment to participate in the independence celebrations.

“The Royal Navy trains people to a really high standard. The training is world class. The navy may be getting smaller, but the standards are getting higher and higher, and we don’t change those standards and we don’t lower them for anybody.

“No matter where you come from: St Vincent, Kenya or from Birmingham in the United Kingdom or wherever it is, it’s demanding and they should be thoroughly, thoroughly proud of getting in there and doing their job. And the four individuals from St Vincent are as good, if not better than any of us on board,” Commander Moorhouse stated.

“They do their jobs fantastically well. The Navy sends them all over the world doing that job and they should be hugely proud…,” he added.

Commander Moorhouse, said it was a great honour and a privilege for him and his crew to be here for the Independence celebrations.

“It’s my first opportunity coming to St Vincent.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines has a long history with the UK and the Royal Navy and I am looking forward to renewing friendships, making new ties and supporting the people of St Vincent in any way we can.”

While docked here, key personnel from the ship met with Government and other security officials to discuss what capabilities the ship could offer while in the region. The ship also held an official reception, where persons had the opportunity to learn about the Lancaster’s capability in terms of counter narcotic operations and humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The HMS Lancaster has already visited all six of the British Overseas Territories in the region and has taken part in the multinational exercise UNITAS with eight other navies. In between its counter narcotics patrols, the Lancaster is visiting numerous Commonwealth and Caribbean countries as part of a regional defense engagement programme. These visits provide the opportunity to train with other navies, as well as demonstrate the Royal Navy’s continued commitment to the region.

Counter narcotic operations with partner nations are one of a range of tasks HMS Lancaster is conducting across the Caribbean in support of British interests. Others include providing reassurance and security for British Overseas Territories and the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season.(AA)