Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Karel Doorman concludes COVID-19 Deployment

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - HNLMS Karel Doorman is on its way back to its home port in the Netherlands from the Caribbean. The navy ship has been in the Caribbean region from 24 April, providing support to the local civil authorities in the fight against COVID-19. This support has now come to an end as the coronavirus outbreak on the islands is sufficiently under control.

HNLMS Karel Doorman arrived in Sint Maarten on 24 April to support the local authorities in the fight against coronavirus, as part of Operation Carib Support. At the time there were concerns about a large-scale outbreak of the virus on the islands.

Having the navy ship in the area provided the Dutch Caribbean with access to versatile and immediately deployable capabilities to assist in the corona crisis, as soon as the situation so required, the Royal Navy said in a statement.

The actual contribution of the navy ship and its units took the form of support in terms of transport, maritime border control and public order measures.

Now that the spread of COVID-19 on the islands is under control, there is no longer a need for the ship’s presence in the region. HNLMS Karel Doorman is scheduled to arrive back in its home port on 26 June.

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence continues to support the civil authorities in the region with the units stationed in the Caribbean. This support includes medical support, transport of food supplies and maritime border control.