UK Naval Support Ship To Call On Bermuda
The Naval Support Ship RFA Wave Knight will arrive in Bermuda tomorrow [Jan 22] for a 5 day visit. Bermuda will be her first port of call since leaving the UK and taking up her tasking as Atlantic Patrol Tasking [North], a year round commitment to the region in support of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief [HADR].
During Wave Knight’s visit the Commanding Officer and Ships company will host a series of events which include visits by local school children and Sea Cadet units and an evening reception onboard. Wave Knight’s Command Team will also be calling on the Bermuda Regiment to discuss the support that Wave Knight may be able to provide to relief operations in Bermuda. The ship will dock in Dockyard.
Wave Knight is carrying Humanitarian and Disaster Relief supplies and Department for International Development stores to support relief operations in the region. Prior to deployment the ship’s company of Wave Knight completed a HADR training course which tested and developed their ability to plan and deliver support to relief operations.
Commenting on the visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer said, “Wave Knight is delighted to be making Bermuda the first port of call of a very long deployment and is pleased to be able to demonstrate the flexibility of the ship, to assist the Bermuda Regiment with some equipment and to be able to discuss disaster management with the authorities also.”
Wave Knight is a 31,500 tonne Fleet Tanker which has the ability to refuel other naval vessels at sea from its three beam rigs and one stern rig as well as carrying dry stores. The ships is crewed by 77 Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and supported by 5 Royal Naval personnel for helicopter and weapons systems operations.
The ship has recently under gone a refit at Cammell Lairds in Birkenhead following on from her last deployment, which ended in March 12. This saw her supporting the international naval effort east of Suez, providing not only fuel for Coalition ships and aircraft but also carrying out front-line and anti-piracy duties.
“Our flexibility and capability is ably demonstrated by Wave Knight’s action packed programme. This time last year operations East of Suez and this year operations in the Caribbean, with a major refit enroute. 2013 promises to be no less busy and satisfying.” added Captain Ferris.
- Photo via Royalnavy.mod.uk
Read More About
Comments (2)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Articles that link to this one:
- Wave Knight Captain Meets With Minister Dunkley | Bernews.com | January 23, 2013
A great asset and welcome visitor.
It is odd that the Royal Fleet Auxillary is not part of the the Royal Navy.
But, then again, the Spanish Armada was defeated by irregulars.