THE HAGUE - The patrol ship HNLMS Holland left for the Caribbean today from Den Helder. As a result, Defense will get a station ship in the area again after a few months.
The Holland is expected to arrive in Willemstad on May 26. The crew focuses, among other things, on operations against terrorism and piracy and on combating drugs. This is done in collaboration with chain partners such as the Caribbean Coast Guard and the American Commander Task Group 4.4. The vessel, an oceangoing patrol vessel (OPV), carries an NH90 maritime combat helicopter.
At the end of December last year, the previous station ship HNLMS Groninigen returned to the Netherlands due to technical problems. The ship made headlines last year when the on-board helicopter crashed into the sea near Aruba on July 19. Two of the four crew members were killed in the crash.