BRITAIN’S main evacuation ship set sail from Gibraltar yesterday for training and drills ahead of a potential deployment to the conflict zone.
RFA Lyme Bay could play a key role in transporting some of the 173,000 Brits who have registered their presence in the region with the Foreign Office to safety.
The 579ft Bay-class dock landing ship – part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – is already at a “heightened readiness” due to the conflict.
It spent much of last week loading medical supplies while in Gibraltar and can also be used as a “hospital ship”.
It will not be used in any potential UK involvement in securing the Strait of Hormuz.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “RFA Lyme Bay has sailed to undertake training and drills.
“As part of prudent planning, she is at heightened readiness as a precaution, should she be needed to assist in maritime tasks in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
If Lyme Bay is deployed it will join HMS Dragon in the Eastern Med.
The Type 45 destroyer set sail last week on a mission to protect RAF Akrotiri, on Cyrus, from attacks, with the Government also reportedly considering sending interceptor drones to boost defences.
British jets were again in the skies over the Middle East on defensive missions.
The MoD said yesterday: “Overnight Typhoon and F-35 jets, supported by Voyager air to air refuelling, have flown sorties in defence of British interests and allies across Qatar, Cyprus, UAE, Jordan and Bahrain.”
