Dutch frigate joins relief effort

6 September 2005

AMSTERDAM — A Dutch frigate with supplies of drinking water and medical personnel is to join the relief effort following the destruction caused in several US states by Hurricane Katrina.

The American authorities have accepted the Dutch offer of the vessel to assist in the operation. Frigate hr.ms. Van Amstel left the Netherlands Antilles for the US Gulf Coast at the weekend in anticipation it would be required.

The captain will find out what tasks he and his crew are being assigned when they join a fleet under the command of American helicopter carrier USS Iwo Jima on Wednesday.

Van Amstel has 10,000 litres of drinking water on board and the ability to convert 1,000 litres of sea water into drinking water every day. The ship is also carrying medical personnel and medical supplies as well as food packages.

The vessel’s has small rubber boats that could be used to bring personnel through the flooded streets of New Orleans. The frigate also has two Lynx helicopters.

US Coast Guard staff will be serve as liaison officers on Van Amstel during the mission. The frigate is scheduled to stay for two weeks but the mission may be extended.

Subject: Dutch news + Hurricane Katrina