WILLEMSTAD/DOMINICA--The support ship of the Dutch Royal Navy in the Caribbean left for Dominica on Friday from Curaçao with manpower and supplies for the Tropical Storm Erika-ravaged island.
The Dominican Government requested the emergency assistance from the Netherlands. The ship should arrive today, Saturday, in the afternoon.
On board support ship Zr. Ms. Pelikaan, in addition to her regular crew, are 40 Marines from the 32nd squadron stationed in Aruba. There is also a delegation of the Aruban Militia and seven army engineers.
The vessel was loaded with vehicles, a military ambulance, a bulldozer and relief supplies.
Some Fast Raiding Interception and Special Forces Craft (FRISC) are also on board to aid in access to villages where no land transport is possible.
The servicemen will assist in cleaning and helping survivors of the tropical storm.
The helicopter of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard will also provide support on the island.
