Navy vessel “HNLMS Groningen” departing the port of Den Helder, the Netherlands, on Wednesday, June 24.
PHILIPSBURG--Dutch Navy vessel HNLMS Groningen departed from Den Helder, the Netherlands, on Wednesday, June 24, to resume her task as Dutch Caribbean patrol vessel.
The patrol vessel had to return temporarily to the Netherlands due to necessary maintenance. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, maintenance personnel were unable to fly into the area.
Groningen is running a pilot project in which the navy vessel remains in the Caribbean region, but the personnel change.
HNLMS Zeeland, also no stranger to the region, has sailed as a patrol ship in recent months, patrolling for both the Ministry of Defence and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. In this way the Dutch navy vessel contributed to the protection of maritime borders.
In addition to preventing illegal drug transports, the ship also prevented landings of undocumented migrants, thereby preventing possible corona infections on the islands.
After transferring her duties in the area, Zeeland will sail back to the Netherlands having completed a four-month tour of duty.
