On Friday noon, a tugboat crew member reportedly sent a distress signal once their vessel started flooding about 20 miles toward the west toward the island of Sint Maarten.
The crew reportedly took refuge on the barge they towed and waited for assistance.
HMS Medway was close by and responded quickly to the Mayday call. On consulting the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Martinique, the vessel reportedly altered the course and raised its speed, reaching the barge and tug in lower than 30 minutes.


HMS Medway’s crew members safely rescued tugboat crew members and carried them back to the vessel.
This incident reportedly marks the first patrol of 2023 for HMS Medway, which serves as the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the region.
References: UK Defence Journal, Halesowen News