THE fourth and final support ships which have helped to revolutionise 21st-Century RN amphibious operations has been handed over by its builders.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary took the ‘keys’ to RFA Lyme Bay in Portland harbour after a month of trials around the UK.

Lyme Bay started life at Swan Hunters’ yard on the Tyne. When work on her stalled at Wallsend, Whitehall ordered her finished by BAE Systems’ Govan yard.

Barely a year after arriving on the Clyde, the finished article was ready for the RFA – nine weeks earlier than BAE had originally predicted.

The ship and her sisters Cardigan, Largs and Mounts Bay provide second-wave support for amphibious operations by the Royal Marines from HM Ships Ocean, Bulwark and Albion, carrying troops and kit into battle.

“Lyme Bay has already received glowing reports – something I expect to continue throughout her service with the RFA,” said Vic Emery, head of BAE’s Surface Fleet Solutions.

“Everyone at BAE has strived tirelessly to deliver Lyme Bay to such a high standard.”

The quartet replace the ‘Knights of the Round Table’ which have served the nation since the 1960s; of the original knights, only RFA Sir Bedivere still remains in service, supporting training for the Iraqi Navy in the northern Gulf.