CAYMAN ISLANDS REGIMENT RECEIVES VEHICLE FLEET

The Cayman Islands Regiment (CIR) is now better equipped for its disaster response and other duties with a fleet of support vehicles.

Normally priced at over a million dollars new, the Regiment has purchased what it describes as “well-maintained, used vehicles” at a fraction of the cost.

The five vehicles for transport and logistical operations were bought for $379,869, a cost-saving of over $620,000 to the Government, according to a statement from the regiment.

They were fully serviced and repainted before being shipped, preparing them for a number of years use in Cayman. The CIR will always work to minimise costs to the public purse whilst preparing to provide Cayman with disaster relief support, the statement said.

Lt Theo Kelly, the Regiment's Motor Transport Officer who was involved in the logistics of getting the vehicles to Cayman said, “It’s great to see this equipment here, it was a huge team effort getting it to Cayman and we’d like to thank the Port Authority for all their assistance. The vehicles will make a massive difference in our ability to deploy troops and supplies across the island in case of an emergency situation.”

CIR Commanding Officer Lt Col Simon Watson explained: “These support vehicles are vital for our ability to operate safely and effectively in times of emergency. They are 4x4 capable and can wade through over 3ft of water making them able to support evacuations during flooding as we’ve seen recently in Tropical Storm Eta.”

Another shipment containing spare parts, generators and trailers is expected this month.

The vehicles received are:

• Two MAN HX60 4×4 Drop Side Cargo Trucks

• Two Mercedes Unimog U1300L transporters

• A MAN 4×4 HX60 Crane Truck

• A Volvo 4200 Wheeled Loader

• A Karcher TFK 250 army mobile field kitchen trailer