The oldest active ship in the Naval Service – tanker RFA Gold Rover – returned to Plymouth today after nearly two years keeping Royal Navy warships on station in the South Atlantic.
The veteran small tanker sailed the equivalent of four times around the globe providing fuel and other supplies to RN vessels which needed them.
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Pictures: LA(Phot) Ben Shread, FRPU West
THE oldest active ship in the Naval Service – tanker RFA Gold Rover – returned to Plymouth today after nearly two years keeping Royal Navy warships on station in the South Atlantic.
It was the job of the 39-year-old vessel to provide sustenance to HMS Clyde, the RN’s permanent presence around the Falklands, as well as any vessel on Atlantic Patrol duties – most recently veteran destroyer HMS Edinburgh.
The tanker has travelled 91,860 nautical miles – that’s the equivalent of more than four times around the world – since leaving Portland in August 2011.
Collectively, her crew spent 7,789 hours on watch – more than 46 weeks – whilst refuelling and resupplying Royal Navy ships on patrol in the region with black gold, equipment, spares, medical supplies, water and whatever else they required.
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“Not a bad achievement for an old lady,” said her Commanding Officer Capt Nigel Budd RFA.
“Our return is the end of another chapter in the proud task of continuous RFA logistic support to the South Atlantic, which for the majority of the time has been provided by a Rover-class vessel.
“I am proud that the ship and my ship’s company have been recognised for the versatility and fortitude that has shown in the widest range of activities and areas, all in the generally extreme conditions of the South Atlantic.”
As well as her mainstream work, the ship has visited Gran Canarias, Ascension Island, St Helena and South Africa during her 21 months away.
Her slightly-younger sister RFA Black Rover has taken her place.
