The Royal Navy has completed a six-day operation in Jamaica following the devastating Hurricane Melissa. Patrol ship HMS Trent headed to Jamaica’s north coast days after the hurricane — the most powerful to ever hit the Caribbean island — made landfall.

The Category 5 hurricane killed 32 people in Jamaica and caused major damage as winds of up to 185mph brought widespread destruction. The focus of HMS Trent was repairing vital public services, including a hospital and school. The warship, which is based in the Caribbean region, delivered crucial aid and had specialist personnel, including engineers, on board to carry out repairs.

One team of 76 helped replace seven roofs of the hospital which the Navy said had been completely blown off by Melissa.

Engineers rebuilt the structural skeleton of the building, while other personnel worked to restore water supply to the medical facility. 

Sailors also helped to clear rubble and clean wards.

The local school was cleared and cleaned too, with children due to return to their classrooms at the end of this month. 

Some 120 aid boxes, filled with hygiene supplies, were also brought ashore. 

Jamaica’s PM last week said the country had caused damage to homes and crucial infrastructure equivalent to 28% to 32% of the country’s 2024 GDP.

Andrew Holness said an estimate of around £4.5 billion to £5.3billion was conservative, Reuters news agency reported.

Seventy-two people in Haiti were also killed in the hurricane, while Cuba was also hit.

HMS Trent is the Navy’s third of five new Offshore Patrol Vessels.

She is designed for duties including counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, humanitarian aid and border patrol. 

The ship had arrived in the Caribbean around a couple of weeks before being sent to support Jamaica.

She is in the region to support British Overseas Territories during hurricane season, as well as carrying out counter-narcotic operations.

The ship seized £750m of illegal drugs in 2024, according to the Navy.