HELPING the international effort to search the waters of the Mediterranean for migrants desperately fleeing North Africa is 40-year-old Royal Air Force officer Richard Sloley from Tavistock.

Richard is one of a specialist team who has embarked on Britain's flagship HMS Bulwark, which is currently on humanitarian operations in the Mediterrainean.

Squadron Leader Sloley is an information specialist who is responsible for providing the command with a comprehensive understanding of the situation and potential issues or threats that may affect the mission.

The assault ship, which only weeks ago was at the heart of Britain's involvement in centenary commemorations of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey, is leading the UK's response to the plight of people trying to leave Africa in overcrowded and unsafe boats.

Bulwark carried out her latest rescue of migrants on May 13. More than 450 people were picked up from sinking makeshift dinghys about 40 miles off the coast of Libya, plus they collected a further 180 people from an Italian ship and successfully transferred them to safety via HMS Bulwark.

The ship's vehicle deck, which normally holds tanks, armoured vehicles, Land Rovers and trucks, has been converted into a reception area where clean, dry clothes, medical treatment and food are available as HMS Bulwark delivers the rescued migrants to safety.

The 40-year-old former Tavistock College pupil, who was also an active member of Tavistock's 2312 Squadron Air Training Corps while at school, said: 'I'm proud to make a difference because there is a real tangible effect of being directly involved in preventing the loss of life at sea.

'Many of the migrants we rescue come from a background of poverty, oppression and persecution and are prepared to risk their lives in the hope of a better future.

'Aside from the immediate life saving efforts, I hope that with a concerted multinational effort we can address many of the root causes of this migration crisis.'