RFA Tidesurge has been welcomed to the fleet with a dedication service at Greenock Ocean Terminal near Glasgow, say the Royal Navy.

The 39,000-tonne fleet replenishment tanker is the latest of four new RFA ships which are the biggest in service.

According to a release:

“Previously, Greenock was the affiliated town of RFA Gold Rover, which provided sterling service in support of the Royal Navy, NATO, and coalition allies for over 40 years. RFA Tidesurge will now take on the honour, continuing its close ties with the area.

Members of the RFA, military personnel, dignitaries, and civil leaders from Greenock gathered at the waterside for the dedication ceremony. Guest of honour at the event was the ship’s Lady Sponsor, Lady Joanna Woodcock, accompanied by her husband, former Second Sea Lord Sir Jonathan Woodcock.”

“Tidesurge is the third of our four new fleet replenishment tankers”, said Commodore Duncan Lamb, Head of the RFA.

“With her flight deck capable of operating Chinook helicopters, double probe replenishment at sea rigs, self-defence capability, and versatile fuel cargo system, she represents a crucial element of the Royal Navy task group of the future and a key enabler of our navy’s global reach.”

David Farmer, Head of Commercially Supported Shipping (CSS) at Defence Equipment and Support (DES), said:

“Today’s service of dedication for RFA Tidesurge, the third Tide-class tanker, is a culmination of a significant period of expert and steadfast delivery by the CSS team which is proud to be bringing her and her sister ships into the Royal Fleet Auxiliary service in defence of the UK.

The Tide class is a truly world-leading fleet of new supply vessels which has already been proven in operational deployments, including those alongside HMS Queen Elizabeth. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our Armed Forces customer and industry partners as Tidesurge completes final trials and formally enters service over the next few months.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

There you go Capn.

andyreeves
andyreeves
5 years ago

fish fingers all round!

Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  andyreeves

LOL

Steve Taylor
5 years ago

It’s worse-er than that. RFA deck officers can undertake “PWO” courses……….

Simon
Simon
5 years ago

RFA is civillian manned and does not conduct offensive operations. Phalanx is there for defence only and I believe are operated by embarked RN, not RFA. Same with embarked RM being needed for boarding – the RFA do not do this themselves.

It’s a little like what the RN are being relegated to with the carriers just being hotel vessels to host the RAF and the amphibs being hotel vessels for the Royal Marines 🙁

Chris J
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

RGR, you’re right about the coaling but I can’t find anything about why they were civvies rather than RN personnel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Fleet_Auxiliary

Chris J
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

I will keep looking, you’ve got me intrigued too…

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

Relegated to? Are you for real. The carriers are strategic assets that will be used by all 3 services and RM.

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Not really Robert, it’s a bit of a semantic joke.

The Royal Navy cannot use the carriers for offensive operations. Only the RAF, AAC and RM can because unless the RN decide to ram someone the only offensive capability the carriers provide are in the form of the aircraft that fly from them.

I deliberately ignored Wildcat and Merlin ops because it proves I am completely wrong 🙂

If you’re interested in the rationale for my jibe it is because I would rather the F-35B were FAA (rather than RAF) owned.

David Flandry
David Flandry
5 years ago

The US Navy has a similar situation. Non-warships are designated USNS, instead of USS, and the crew are mostly civil service. Don’t know why though; the reason is probably lost in the mists of antiquity.

Elliott
Elliott
5 years ago
Reply to  David Flandry

The reasons are actually simple. It denotes a vessel that is property of the Navy but without a commission as a warship and is crewed by civilian operators with a small military complement. The civilian complement having to come from the US Merchant Marine. Meaning they lose civilian status one war is declared. Pursuant to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act), also note the law mandating US construction of ships. During peace time this all falls MSC (Military Sealift Command). Primary reason for this is it allows MSC to operate at a fraction of the cost of military… Read more »

SC
SC
5 years ago

RGR, Since no one else has mentioned the elephant in the room, I’d better do it.

Manpower.

The RN is having enough problems manning it’s own ships at the moment, Having to put ships into alongside condition to free up manpower for the QE ships.I don’t see how they could stretch to manning the RFA ships.

Cam Hunter
Cam Hunter
5 years ago

715 million for 4 fully equipped with weapons and millitary coms ect isn’t to bad.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Cam Hunter

No, it’s awful. ordered way way back in 2012 in which just the shipbuild price became 550 million quid in which you can add 30% or more tax back for a gross price of a shade under one billion pounds.

Andy
Andy
5 years ago

For those following my petition:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/235377

We have well over 10,000 signatures. This means that the Gov has to reply. Click on the link over the next few weeks and see what they. I wrote to Johnny Mercer who is on the Defence Select committee and his reply include “It’s a good campaign and one I would like to succeed”. Only 89,000 to go now.

Keep sharing the link if you can

M@
M@
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Great job Andy! Keep up the good work. Have you thought about reaching out to the supply chain community? I’m sure there are many in the industry that would support and sign your petition. It would also be worth seeing if any existing dock yards have apprenticeship schemes running with local schools, colleges and universities. “So you want to be an engineer when you grow up? How about supporting a petition that can influence ships being built in the UK to secure future jobs? The like of which you’ll probably be applying for after graduating…” There are plenty of opportunities… Read more »

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Great work Andy!

Dan
Dan
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Just signed it.

M@
M@
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

I seem to be experiencing issues commenting… take 2 Great job Andy! Keep up the good work. Have you thought about reaching out to the supply chain community? I’m sure there are many in the industry that would support and sign your petition. It would also be worth seeing if any existing dock yards have apprenticeship schemes running with local schools, colleges and universities. “So you want to be an engineer when you grow up? How about supporting a petition that can influence ships being built in the UK to secure future jobs? The like of which you’ll probably be… Read more »

M@
M@
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Still experiencing issues commenting… take 3… Great job Andy, keep up the good work! Have you thought about reaching out to the supply chain community also? I’m sure there are many in the industry that would support, sign and promote your petition. It would also be worth seeing if any existing docks/yards have apprenticeship schemes running with local schools, colleges and universities. “So you want to be an engineer when you grow up? How about supporting a petition that can influence these fine ships being built in the UK to support future jobs? The like of which you will probably… Read more »

Pete B
Pete B
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

signed

Mark
Mark
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Good luck. Call me a skeptic if you like but even if you get 17 million signatures there are no guarantees.

Andy
Andy
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I know. I haven’t done this before and know that there are no guarantees, but if you don’t try……

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

It’s signed, plus I have passed it on.

Steve Salt
5 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Signed

Ian
Ian
5 years ago

Will she and Tidespring be giving out Nectar Points per litre? Or will it be Airmiles like the old Rover Class?

Steve Taylor
5 years ago
Reply to  Ian

………set of chunky tumblers and the collection of World Cup Winners’ medals…….

T.S
5 years ago

I’m so looking forward to the day we can see QE/PoW sailing with a tide, new FSSS, 2 T26 and 2 T45. I presume we are looking at very late 2020’s for that? It all seems so slow considering the urgent need for new platforms. When will the FSSS be delivered?

Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  T.S

Be content with Fort Victoria, a Tide, and the escorts.

You won’t be waiting so long!

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

“Time and Tide, wait for no man”.

Herodotus
5 years ago

Time flies like an arrow
Fruit flies like a banana

BB85
BB85
5 years ago

The RN is bound to do a PR exercise next year with QE, POW, a Tide and at least 4 escorts in the same group. Hopefully some some F35’s on deck.

Chris
Chris
5 years ago
Reply to  BB85

I wouldn’t be surprise if he next Westlant deployment doesn’t include at least 1×23, 1×45 and a Tide instead of just 1×23 like last time. Would create good PR, a good trail run with a ‘strike group’ and provide excellent opportunities for bi-lateral training with the Yanks.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  BB85

BB85, don’t be Silly, Ford stopped making “Escorts” Decades ago.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

RGR, Mate, Humor runs the entire Week in the P Wash Household. Pissed or Not !!!!

Bill
5 years ago

Andy l will sign this. Only a decent batch of F35’s a potent anti surface capability and bingo! We will have ‘hard power’ blue water navy. T S. Keep it on your wish list together with your tooth under the pillow!

Nick C
Nick C
5 years ago

Andy. Just signed.

Steve Willetts
5 years ago

Petition signed

Elizzar
Elizzar
5 years ago

Call me silly but I do think these are some of the nicest looking ships in the fleet, and they make such a difference – the RFA / support / logistics vessels push us in the top tier compared to similar nations like France and Japan – plus of course our overseas territories and bases. I also like the defence secretary pushing for more RFA Argus-like vessels too – use the overseas aid budget on them!

fearlesstunafish
fearlesstunafish
5 years ago

totally the best looking replenishment ships out there vs other navies!