While the RFA is struggling to get ships to sea, the most active vessel in its fleet, RFA Tidesurge has been sustaining allied warships in the Atlantic and High North.
After conducting a training RAS with HMS Somerset on 30th August, RFA Tidesurge went to Scotland to take on fuel at Loch Striven. She left the Clyde on 5th September and has spent the last two months operating in the Atlantic, Denmark Strait and the Arctic, covering 13,500 miles.
The tanker transferred thousands of litres of fuel to warships that would otherwise have to return to port. The Tide-class also carry limited dry stores including food, consumables, and everyday essentials which were transferred either on a pallet by Jackstay or by VERTREP. Tidesurge did not have her own embarked helicopter for this deployment.
Replenishment with FS La Fayette.
Tidesurge’s recent activities are quite routine and have been carried out by the RFA going back decades but supporting warships operating in these areas is a critical role. This type of deployment attracts little attention as warships and their support vessels are at sea for long periods and make few port visits. While some of the warships are transiting to join exercises or conducting general patrols, the majority are focused on monitoring Russian submarine activity. European navies are short of naval auxiliaries that can provide fuel at sea and the RFA is a key enabler. Down to just two active tankers, the declining numbers has an impact across NATO and the US Navy cannot always be relied upon to take up the slack.
RFA Tidesurge replenishes HNLMS Van Amstel.
RFA sailors must be able to conduct demanding RAS serials at anytime day or night, often in very poor weather conditions that are frequently encountered in these areas. For many of Tidesurge’s crew, this was their first experience of operating inside the Arctic Circle (66° 30’N latitude) and they were awarded ‘blue noses’ in a traditional ceremony with a visit from King Neptune. Other highlights included observing the Northern Lights, icebergs and the ship being accompanied by whales, dolphins and other marine mammals. Tidesurge will return to Portland shortly for maintenance and a crew change before heading back to sea again.
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Main image: RFA Tidesurge heading down the Clyde on 5th September. Note the recently-fitted radome mounted on the RASCO roof amidships. Photo: Zak Harrison.