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Brambleleaf Keeps The Navy Moving
RFA Brambleleaf, currently taking part in the Australasia
'95 development, has recently participated in Exercise Kangaroo
in the Timor Sea with HMS Sheffield.
Her programme was then to take her on to the Indonesian capital
of Jakarta and next to Singapore and Exercise Starfish, in
which she was to work alongside units of local navies.
Originally built as the commercial tanker Hudson Deep by Cammell
Laird Shipbuilders in Birkenhead, the Brambleleaf was acquired
by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and converted for use as a large
support tanker. She joined the flotilla in 1980.
Measuring 170 metres in length and with a beam of 26m, the
vessel displaces 37,747 tons. She is powered by two Crossley
Pielstick, 14 cylinder, diesel engines, delivering 14,000
break horsepower to a single controllable-pitch propeller.
RFA Brambleleaf, whose ship's company comprises 56 civilian
officers and ratings of the RFA, is capable of a speed of
just over 14 knots. Her primary role - and that of her sister
ships, Bayleaf, Oakleaf and Orangeleaf - is to replenish at
sea warships of the Royal Navy with fuel oil and aviation
kerosene.
In simple terms, the RFA tanker and the warship to be supplied
steam along side-by-side. The fuel is transferred via hoses
attached to cables rigged between the two ships.
In practice, this is an extremely complex task, requiring
the use of the highly-specialised RAS (replenishment at sea)
rig, which is based on a heavy jackstay.
In addition to her RAS capability RFA Brambleleaf acts as
a freighting tanker, carrying out bulk movements of fuel between
various Ministry of Defence depots.
She is the third ship to bear the name - her predecessors
being an Admiralty-owned tanker of 5,912 tons, in service
from 1917 to 1947, and an RFA tanker of 17.930 tons, which
was in operation between 1959 and 1970.
The present ship of the name won a battle honour in the Falklands
War and was deployed on Armilla Patrol in 1990 before the
Gulf War.
The ability to re-supply the Royal Navy whilst underway makes
the Leaf-class ships a highly-flexible and important part
of any naval task group to which they are assigned. They make
a significant contribution to the overall operational capability
of the Navy's surface fleet.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service
A civilian-manned fleet of 21 ships, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Service is owned by the Ministry of Defence and managed by
the Commodore RFA, who is directly responsible for the day-to-day
operation of the flotilla to Commander-in-Chief Fleet.
The RFA's primary role is to supply the Royal Navy at sea
with the food, fuel, ammunition and spares it requires to
maintain operations away from home. In addition, the RFA provides
the Navy with sea-borne aviation training facilities, plus
secure logistical support and an amphibious operations capability
for the Royal Marines and the British Army.
Most RFA ships carry, or are capable of carrying, RN helicopters
and the personnel required to operate and maintain them. Because
RFA vessels are often required to operate in war zones in
support of the RN, they also have a limited weapons-fit for
self defence against air and "pop-up" missile attack.
The service employs some 2,500 officers and ratings, all UK
registered, who follow career and training patterns broadly
similar to those of the merchant marine. But RFA personnel
also undergo specialist training to meet the requirements
of operating with the RN.
During its long and distinguished history the RFA has earned
many battle honours. Virtually the entire flotilla was deployed
in support of British forces during the Falklands War - in
which RFA Sir Galahad was sunk and RFA Sir Tristram badly
damaged - and again during the Gulf War.
RFA ships are currently forming part of the British contribution
to the United Nations operations off Angola and the former
Yugoslavia.
(Ship of the Month September 1995)
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