This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Julia Sutherland

Deputy High Commissioner, Jamaica

Part of UK in Jamaica

26th November 2012 Kingston, Jamaica

Tars and Tarps

My job in the last week has involved discussions with ‘tars’ (or sailors) about ‘tarps’ (or tarpaulins).

RFA Argus arriving at Kingston Wharves

When posted to Singapore I had the opportunity to visit  a number of  other nations’ ships, which often stopped at the naval base for a few days. Last week in Kingston we had a short-notice visit from a British military ship, here for a very short stop-off.

Thanks to the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we were able to secure quick permission for the ship to enter Kingston harbour. It was a most welcome visit by the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Argus, which had come to deliver UKAid shelter kits (including tarpaulins) for schools damaged by Hurricane Sandy last month.

With Captain Gerard Patterson and some of the shelter kits

I went with a couple of colleagues to Kingston wharves, to welcome the ship and oversee the unloading of the kits. It was my first time watching such a large ship pull alongside a wharf – a very delicate operation requiring a great deal of skill.

On board the ship, the Captain and members of the crew (composed of both Merchant Navy and Royal Naval personnel) gave us an interesting overview of the RFA’s work and their current mission in the Caribbean.

The ship has been in the Caribbean since May, and this hurricane season has thankfully been a quiet one. This meant that they were still carrying some of the humanitarian supplies they collected earlier in the year. And they were happy to help when the Jamaican authorities issued an appeal for tarpaulins.

The Argus was only berthed for 3 hours, but the short visit gave me a new awareness of the RFA and appreciation for the valuable work they do.

1 comment on “Tars and Tarps”

  1. Tarps are used of hurricane season. they are water proof and strong tarps usually customer can use heavy duty traps. so Thanks for sharing about nice information….

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About Julia Sutherland

Julia Sutherland arrived in Kingston in October 2012. This is her first posting in the Caribbean. She joined the Diplomatic Service in 1995 and has previously worked at the British…

Julia Sutherland arrived in Kingston in October 2012. This is her first posting in the Caribbean. She joined the Diplomatic Service in 1995 and has previously worked at the British Embassy in Beijing and, most recently, the High Commission in Singapore. Her assignments in the UK have included periods working on China issues and on EU policy, and a stint as Private Secretary to the Minister for Trade. She has also spent time on secondment to the Home Office, where she worked on Immigration issues. Julia has a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University (Christ’s College, 1995).

In her spare time she enjoys cinema, cooking and travel. She is married to Dr Duncan Sutherland, an historian.

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#UKAID Julia Sutherland kingston RFA