Two helicopters flew above Bermuda yesterday as part of Britain’s preparation for future hurricanes.

The aircraft took off from RFA Argus, part of the Royal Navy’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary Merchant Navy arm and the Caribbean disaster relief ship, which dropped anchor in Bermuda to take on stores on Sunday.

The ship is equipped with AgustaWestland Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

The Merlin is used for troop and cargo transports, as well as casualty evacuation, and the Wildcat is deployed in the reconnaissance and search-and-rescue roles.

The helicopters carried out familiarisation flights of landing sites across the island, for the first time since 2014.

Government House emphasised there would be no contact between shore personnel and the ship’s crew, and that the helicopters would not touch down.

The Argus, which will be the hurricane relief ship for the season, was sent to the region early because of the Covid-19 crisis.

She will join HMS Medway, the present Atlantic Patrol Task (North) ship, which is already on station in the Caribbean.

The ship was due to steam south yesterday.