Assistance headed to Dominica

AS the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) continues to receive donations from the general public to assist with its disaster relief effort to the Commonwealth of Dominica in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the Force deployed another vessel to that island yesterday.

Around 6 p.m. yesterday, the Barbados Coast Guard vessel left the island, loaded with water, food, and other needed supplies.

Twenty-nine military personnel, 15 artisans going to assist with the rebuilding project, and officials from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), were also on board.

Executive Officer on the HMBS Trident, Sub-Lieutenant Shawn Hazelwood, told the media, just before the vessel departed, that the donations coming from members of the public have been overwhelming.

“We have about three 10x30 classrooms full of supplies,” Sub-Lieutenant Hazelwood said.

The Executive Officer confirmed that the first vessel, which left the island on Tuesday with military personnel and members of the media, arrived safely, sometime yesterday morning.

The vessel was initially scheduled to leave Barbados at 3 p.m., however, it left three hours later. (AH)