Haiti Earthquake: UK Vessel To Work With US Helicopters During Aid Response

Royal Navy supply ship RFA Wave Knight will be joined by the US Military in response to Saturday's earthquake in Haiti.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker will operate as a landing pad for US Army UH60L Black Hawk helicopters responding to events.

Joint aid efforts come in addition to a package of up to £1m of initial support to Haiti, announced by the UK Government on Thursday.

RFA Wave Knight was positioned in the Caribbean for hurricane season and is now able to respond rapidly to Saturday's devastating earthquake.

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake has left about 30,000 families homeless, with the Wave-class vessel now deploying to help with relief support.

The 32,000-tonne ship carries food, water and other supplies for disaster relief support. 

Tropical Storm Grace has since swept over Haiti with drenching rain just two days after the impoverished nation was hit by the earthquake.

Cover image: MOD.