HMS Dauntless is currently sailing to the Caribbean to offer support during the hurricane season (Picture: Royal Navy). — HMS Dauntless is sailing to the Caribbean to provide support during the hurricane season (Picture: Royal Navy).

Sea vessels

Royal Navy's most powerful destroyer deployed to the Caribbean

The Royal Navy's most advanced destroyer has deployed to the Caribbean to offer support during hurricane season and help with counter-drug trafficking operations.

HMS Dauntless, currently sailing across the Atlantic from Portsmouth, will be able to respond quickly to natural disasters during the region's hurricane season from June to November.

The Type 45 destroyer will also patrol the Caribbean to counter illicit activities, in particular working against drug trafficking in the region, alongside the United States Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies.

While in the Caribbean, she will also head for Exercise Unitas and mark the 200th anniversary of the Colombian Navy.

Commanding Officer Commander Ben Power said: "It has been a phenomenal journey taking the ship from Liverpool following the upgrade to the power and propulsion system through to our departure on time for operations, which highlights the performance of the equipment and the dedication and hard work of the crew."

The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless will also help counter illegal drug trafficking in the region (Picture: Royal Navy). — The Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless will also help counter drug trafficking in the region (Picture: Royal Navy).

HMS Dauntless has had three new engines installed, which will ensure the 8,500-tonne destroyer has a more reliable, robust source of power to propel her through the water at speeds in excess of 59km.

The new engines proved their reliability during the ship's Operational Sea Training (OST).

HMS Dauntless completed that training off the South Coast in only four months, regenerating faster than most of her fellow Type 45 vessels.