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Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)

Under the ownership of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), primarily manned by some 2,000 civilians is tasked with the resupply of ships of the Royal Navy while away from home waters with fuel, ammunition, food and other stores required to keep the fleet operational in all respects. In addition the Royal Fleet Auxiliary provide the ability to transport military units and their equipment, the provision of Royal Navy aviation training support, casualty reception and a fleet repair capability. As and when required the RFA is augmented by personnel of the Royal Navy.

The RFA was formed in 1905 in order that coal burning ships of the Royal Navy could be resupplied with coal and other stores while at sea. A fleet of tankers capable of refueling oil burning warships was established during WWI and since its inception the RFA have supported the Royal Navy and land forces wherever they have been deployed.

The ‘Terms of Service’ of those wishing to join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are that their employment revolves around the resupply of Royal Navy vessels while at sea, and that should their ship be deployed on operations, such as the Falklands Conflict and the Gulf War, then they will remain with the ship. Service in the RFA follows a parallel path to that of the Merchant Navy and as such their training is similar, with the exception that a specific amount of Naval training is included in order that the survival skills needed in an operational environment are taught to crew members. Many RFA vessels carry teams of Royal Navy or Army specialists for tasks such as the repair of helicopters or other military equipment and the operation of self defence armaments.

Ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are equipped to resupply single, and multiple, vessels of the Royal Navy whilst ‘under way’. The most common procedure is Resupply at Sea (RAS) where the donor ship (RFA Vessel) and receiving ship (Royal Navy vessels) steam alongside each other with stores and fuel being transferred from ship to ship by hoses or heavy jackstay transfer suspended from cranes and strong points on both ships. Fuel transfers can also be made from the stern of an RFA vessel to a warship following in the wake of the donor RFA tanker. Sea King and Merlin helicopters embarked on RFA and Royal Navy vessels can also carry out Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) of ‘dry’ stores from ship to ship. VERTREP stores can be carried in the main internal cargo/personnel compartment of the helicopter but in the main are carried externally as underslung loads.

There are currently 16 ships of various capabilities in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. These vessels range from tankers, resupply, repair, aviation and landing ships.

The Vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

More Vessels of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary – Part 2

Back To: Royal Navy Ships

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