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Mighty Oakleaf Lends Her Support
Formerly the Swedish vessel MV Oktania, the support tanker
Oakleaf was added to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1986. She
was built by A. B. Udevella, Sweden and completed in 1981.
Following a refit last December and BOST in January, she recommenced
her duties in the Caribbean as tanker to the West Indies Guard
Ship.
The deployment could explain why one of her facilities - a
heated swimming pool - is not being as heavily used as it
might be. The ship's company also have a gymnasium and a sauna
at their disposal.
Normally 36 strong - but currently standing at 15 officers
and 22 senior and junior rates - the ship's company's various
departments all have a vital role to play in the day to day
running of the vessel.
The Oakleaf is capable of replenishing ships with fuel using
a standard jackstay or derrick rig abeam and towed rig for
astern replenishment. She is fitted to take containers on
her main deck for the provision of stores and to enhance ship's
stores capabilities for long deployments.
The PO(Supply) is responsible for 5,000 stores line items
as well as for victualling, clothing and bedding and the use
of the RISC (RFA Interim Stores Computer) system is his only
assistant on board. This system is to be replaced by Oasis
4 in due course.
As well as their role of replenishing warships at sea, support
tankers perform the bulk movement of fuels between MOD(N)
depots. The Oakleaf has three Leaf Class sisters - RFAs Brambleleaf,
Bayleaf and Orangeleaf.
All four were originally designed as commercial tankers and
underwent major conversions to bring them up to RFA standards
and equip them for naval support. These involved adding a
considerable amount of electronics, both in communications
and navigational aids, fitting two replenishment rigs and
increasing the amount of accommodation.
While the ships can provide some food and stores support,
their main cargo is furnace fuel oil, diesel and aviation
fuel.
RFA Oakleaf is powered by a four cylinder Burmeister and Wain
long stroke oil engine capable of developing 12,000 bhp, which
drives a single controllable pitch propeller. She also has
bow and stern variable pitch thrust propellers. Fitted with
automatic power management, the vessel can be operated with
her machinery spaces unmanned. And as with her sister ships,
her engines can be controlled from either the ship's bridge
or the air conditioned machinery control room.
RFA Oakleaf is the second ship to bear the name. Her predecessor
was built in Glasgow as Elder liner Montezuma by A Stephens
and Sons Ltd in 1899. She was propelled by steam and had a
displacement of 7,345 tons gross. Measuring 485 feet long
and with a beam of 59 feet, she could steam at 13 knots. Converted
to a dummy battleship (Iron Duke) in 1914, this vessel later
became the tanker Abadol in 1915. Renamed the Oakleaf in February
1917, she was lost just five months later. On July 25 that
year she was torpedoed by the German submarine UC 41 64 miles
NW1/4W from the Butt of Lewis.
(Ship of the Month September 1993)
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