Atlantic Patrol Task (North)
(Formerly known as the West Indies Guard Ship) This is the United Kingdom's contribution to the North Atlantic and Caribbean areas, intended to protect British interests in the region.
The deployment supports counter narcotics role and can provide humanitarian assistance where required; following the regular hurricanes and tropical storms. It was announced on 6 July 2005 that by the end of 2005, the Atlantic Patrol Task (North) was to be carried out by a single warship, a frigate or destroyer, only during the higher-risk months from July to October, while a Wave-class Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel with an embarked Merlin helicopter would supplement the warship for the duration of the hurricane season from May to November.
After 2006, the House of Commons was assured in June 2005, a frigate or destroyer would be on station 12 months of the year. However, RFA Wave Ruler (A390) is the current Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship as of June 2011.
Read more about this topic: Standing Royal Navy Deployments
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