Royal Navy helicopters attended more than 350 incidents and rescued more than 300 people in 1979, including work during the Fastnet disaster. Naval and RAF units also responded after the Alexander Kielland support platform collapsed in the North Sea. When a hurricane devastated Dominica, HMS Fife and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Cherryleaf restored communications with outside governments and relief agencies. Their crews also cleared the road to the airport, restored water, moved food and medical teams, and rebuilt the island's hospital. Warships, auxiliaries, helicopters, engineers, and communications personnel formed an integrated disaster-relief system.
Chapter · 24:59-26:42
Search and rescue and Dominica hurricane relief
Helicopter rescues, the Alexander Kielland response, and the reconstruction effort on Dominica demonstrate the Royal Navy's peacetime humanitarian reach.