Self-sufficient humanitarian MV DAWN has dropped anchor in George Town Harbour and will be part of a special joint disaster response and preparedness exercise hosted by Hazard Management Cayman Islands.
With the official start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season about a month away, Hazard Management is ramping up preparedness efforts as it hosts representatives of the US-based humanitarian organisation next week.
MV DAWN, which is operated by the Global Support and Development organisation and registered in the Cayman Islands, is making her first visit to the islands and will be taking part in exercises to enhance local disaster preparedness.
“Effective regional cooperation in the aftermath of an impact is important and this vessel may be able to assist us, both in terms of an impact to the Cayman Islands, and also as an advanced logistical platform to support our own efforts to deliver support and aid to other Islands that are in need following a hurricane,” Danielle Coleman, Hazard Management director, said in a press release ahead of the start of the exercise.
The training exercises, the government release said, are aimed at preparing both HMCI and GSD to support disaster response and preparedness efforts in the Cayman Islands and across the broader Caribbean region.
Global Support and Development works with local, national and regional communities for resilience to crisis through rapid response, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation, the statement said.
GSD was founded as an informal humanitarian organisation in 2015 after an impromptu response to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu. It formalised its status as a nonprofit, non-governmental organisation in 2019.
The training exercises will take place on MV DAWN, which is equipped for disaster preparedness and response, as well as initiatives focused on climate adaptation.
“Based in the Caribbean region year-round, the ship has a range of mission-related capabilities with other areas being developed to meet the needs of communities across the Caribbean,” the statement said.
During the course of next week, Hazard Management and Global Support and Development will participate in a variety of collaborative engagements including practical training activities such as helicopter-flying operations and logistics cargo transfers.
Representatives will also hold disaster response-related discussions that will see participants exchange best practices and experiences.
“We truly believe the best responses are locally led, and we look forward to engaging with the Cayman Islands in this work,” Mike Court, Global Support and Development CEO, said. “GSD is honoured to be able to work with communities across the Caribbean region to address immediate humanitarian needs while also supporting future disaster preparedness and climate adaptation initiatives.”
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Cayman Islands Coast Guard, Cayman Islands Regiment and Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands are also involved in the coordination of the visit.
The vessel is equipped with an operation centre, an onboard medical facility and a desalination plant capable of producing up to 70,000 litres of fresh water.
The MV DAWN can also conduct marine and basic salvage operations; its helideck capabilities include aircraft refuelling and airlifting cargo.
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