Gunline - The First Point of Contact Published by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service December 2010 www.rfa.mod.uk PIRATE BOATS BOARDED AND DESTROYED OFF SOMALIA

FA Fort Victoria, under the Marines from the embarked Fleet Colonel Mark Gray Royal Marines, Rcommand of Captain Rob Dorey, Protection Group (FPGRM), provide Commander of the task force onboard deployed as part of a special counter- the boarding teams to Fort Victoria’s RFA Fort Victoria and HMS piracy operation with HMS current counter-piracy mission and Northumberland, said “contrary to the Northumberland in the Somali Basin Hollywood legend, there is nothing with Combined Maritime Forces’ romantic about pirates and piracy. It is (CMF) mission based counter-piracy a blight which has struck the shores of task force, Combined Task Force Somalia and strikes at the very heart of (CTF) 151. the UK’s national interests. Whilst conducting routine patrols Countering piracy is one of the Royal off the Somali coast an embarked Navy’s key roles even in this day and Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air age. One cannot help but get a sense of Squadron identified a suspicious The Command team onboard Fort whaler towing a skiff. The whaler was supported by the helicopter, Victoria assessed that this PAG was found to be carrying a significant approached the suspected vessels. As almost certainly in the final stages of the Royal Marines approached, the preparing to venture to sea in search of suspected pirates made a break for the new targets, before their activities Somali shoreline, but were rapidly were disrupted. surrounded. The suspected pirates CTF-151 is one of three task forces onboard the whaler were carrying six operated by Combined Maritime AK47s, a rocket propelled grenade Forces (CMF), a 25-nation coalition (RPG) launcher with four warheads based in Bahrain. Its main focus areas and six RPG booster charges, and a are defeating terrorism, preventing number of supplies, two hand-held piracy, reducing illegal activities and number of barrels of fuel. When the GPS units, three make-shift ladder promoting a safe maritime boat was approached by the helicopter, sections and four mobile phones. environment. In conjunction with four of the nine passengers tried to The nine suspected pirates were NATO and EU Naval Force hide themselves on the boat but not transferred to the smaller skiff, the very successfully. Royal Marines permanently disabled Suspecting that they may have their brand new outboard engine and satisfaction at the sight of a bunch of found a Pirate Action Group (PAG), handed them oars. Once the suspected chastened suspected pirates being Fort Victoria was granted approval to pirates were safely ashore, the whaler landed ashore, tails between their legs conduct a boarding by the CTF 151 was rigged with explosives and and the tools of their trade Commander, Rear Admiral Sinan destroyed along with the other disappearing with a boom and a flash Ertugral, of the Turkish Navy. Royal confiscated pirate paraphernalia. of flame.”

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INFORMATION ADVICE (EUNAVFOR), ships from CTF-151  patrol in the Somali Basin and the  COMMUNICATION Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. CTF-151 also helps promote to the shipping community best management practice methodology for the www.rfacom.mod.uk avoidance of piracy. 2 - Gunline Commodore Bill Walworth FORT GEORGE - FROM AURIGA TO WALLIAN VENTURE inter has come ince returning to the UK in late August, at the end in the west coast of Scotland to top up the fuel Wearly this year with Sof the AURIGA 10 deployment to the USA, the cargo, take on stores and provisions and snow in November and ship has undergone a period of maintenance to ensure then embarked 814 freezing temperatures. she remains ready to continue in her role as the Fleet Naval Air Squadron’s Over half our ships are deployed, most carrying Flag Ship support AOR. There were a significant ground equipment out tasks that were not number of crew changes with the subsequent and personnel. Senior considered when the requirement to carry out an intensive period of officers attended ships were built. Our Emergency Scenario briefings at HM Naval shore staff everywhere, training to keep the Base Clyde in preparation for our next tasking – Joint working hard on the ship at its high Warrior 102 – “Wallian Venture” a very large multi outcomes of the Strategic national exercise off the north west coast of Defence Review and the readiness state. Value for Money Review. Following the period Scotland. It means, very sadly, a reduction in our manpower alongside the ship was Shortly after sailing with two Merlin helicopters over the next year. I will not say any more other than subsequently re-tasked to carry out operational flying from 814 NAS embarked, the training work-up to assure everyone we will let you know the plan as training with 824 Nava Air Squadron which was carried phase of the exercise soon as we can. out off the south coast. The next tasking was to take commenced with By the time you read this Cardigan Bay will be part in the “Perisher” submarine command training all the various units on the way home after her highly successful years in the North Arabian Gulf. Many RFA, RN and RNR course.Various planned manoeuvres, along with integrating to prepare personnel have taken part in her deployment and can a Type 23 Frigate, were undertaken to stretch for the operational be proud of their contribution. She is assured of an the abilities of the “war fighting” phase. enthusiastic welcome home in the New Year. Fort would be submarine Ships taking part Victoria has been in the news for her counter piracy commanders. An included units from USA, Holland, Greece, Turkey, operations off the Somali coast. We’ve seen the interesting day was Italy and with the exercise also acting as a major photographs of sinking pirate skiffs and plumes of smoke and flames. Her Royal Marines were had and with a milestone in the validation of the NATO Joint Rapid obviously taking no chances, why have a small film crew embarked Reaction Force it was a very intensive period of flying, explosion when you can have a big one! preparing footage for a programme to be aired on RASing and war fighting. We pride ourselves on the standard of food on our Channel 5 next year we will be looking forward to Some of the highlights of the exercise included ships. Our chefs prepare food for a wide range of seeing FORT GEORGE on television. RASing five ships of the Minesweeper Squadron using occasions from formal dinner parties for foreign On completion of the submarine training we sailed the rarely practiced crane rig and the transfer of a Sea dignitaries to filling hungry sailors and soldiers with vast quantities of calories. We all know they are north for a swift week-end visit to an Oil Fuel Jetty Dart Missile to HMS YORK. continually judged and found wanting three times a day by the real chefs on the bridge, but now they have evidence of their ability to prepare quality NEW CERTIFICATE SCHEME FOR SINGLE HULL TANKERS meals. Chief Petty Officer Cook Matt Rowberry, his n the wake of a long string of maritime disasters Looking from seaward, the differences between the RFA chef colleagues and the team of RFA trainee Iinvolving tankers such as the Exxon Valdez, the Braer new certification scheme for SHTs and the rest of the catering assistants represented the Naval Service at and more recently the Prestige, the subsequent enquiries Flotilla are largely presentational around the wording on this year’s Exercise Joint Caterer formerly found that much of the environmental damage could the certificates; existing survey cycles will be retained Combined Service Culinary Challenge. In the Parade de Chefs they beat the Army and Royal Air have been avoided if the ships had been better protected and surveys will be carried out to the same scope, Force teams, producing a delicious three course with double hulls. As a result, International and frequency and thoroughness as they are currently. In meal for over 60 VIPs. Well done and good luck to European legislation was passed for the compulsory future, certificates issued by the MCA will be entitled all the new CAs out in the Flotilla. Matt was also withdrawal of Single Hull Tankers (SHTs) to a timescale ‘Government Ship Certificates’ and those issued by LR recently selected to join an elite team of chefs, the which was linked to the ship’s age. In recognition of will be ‘Class Equivalent certificates’. In both cases, the Combined Services Culinary Arts team, this, in 2002 the MoD embarked on a replacement existing rules and regulations against which the ships are representing Great Britain in the military section of programme for the Leaf and Rover Class tankers as part assessed will remain exactly the same. an international cooking competition which took of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) The background, policy decisions and detailed place in Luxembourg in November. programme. The existing SHTs have now become non- arrangements have been recorded in a Policy Document Earlier in the year I visited the National Memorial compliant with both IMO and EU legislation and a which has already been widely reviewed and the SHT Arboretum in Staffordshire. You should all take your families there, it is a beautiful place. Frank different approach to the certification of these ships has Certification policy has been formally endorsed by the Andrews, who many of you will remember, was become necessary as an interim measure until the new RFA Management Board. The policy Document will kind enough to take up the challenge of organising ships enter service. shortly be issued as an RTEM prior to being an RFA memorial to place there. I asked him to For a long time now the RFA has relied on the incorporated in BR875. Exhaustive legal consultation produce a plan for something we will all be proud Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Lloyds has confirmed that there is no change to the status of the of. You can see the result in his article. Imaginative Register (LR) and the MoD Naval Authority to provide ships or the personnel who sail on them; the MCA have and artistic it very much represents our core its safety assurance; this independent third party also confirmed that sea service gained aboard these qualities. It will cost £20000, less than £10 a head assurance has enabled the Head of the RFA Service to ships will count in exactly the same way as before. The for everyone in the RFA family and we will start fully demonstrate that our ships are built, operated and new certification packs have already been distributed to fundraising in the New Year. The plan is to build it maintained safely. All parties have agreed to continue to each SHT ahead of the implementation date of 31 in time for an opening ceremony in 2012, which Prince Edward has kindly agreed to lead. support the SHTs until the new MARS Tankers come December, so by the time this edition of Gunline is Thank you to First Officer Mark Mundy, our PRO into service. To take the SHT certification process published the new certification scheme for the Single and Editor of Gunline, for your excellent work. Our forward, a tri-partite Working Group was established in Hull Tankers should be up and running. exploits have rarely been more visible in the April, with members from the MCA, LR and MoD. The In summary, it’s business as usual; no change to the national media, our ships even being referred to as Working Group was tasked with developing a new current survey regime and definitely no reduction in the RFAs! certification scheme for SHTs which was acceptable to standards of safety assurance that have always been the I know that 2010 was a busy and successful year all parties. highest priority for the RFA. for the RFA operationally and we can be very proud After a considerable amount of effort by the Working If you have the time and would like to learn more of everything our sea going teams achieved. Their Group, the legal and procedural obstacles have been about the detailed arrangements, please read the Policy success was backed by our supportive and caring overcome and the new Certification for SHTs was Document, in the meantime, if you have any questions families and friends, hard working shore teams and contractors. implemented on 31st December 2010 for the Leafs, or concerns about the new certification process, please There will be challenges in 2011 for everyone Rovers and the AORs. From the outset, it was clearly feel free to contact me in Abbey Wood. involved with the RFA, seagoing or ashore. understood that no reduction in the survey and Stefan Smart Wherever you are, I would like to wish you and your inspection of the ships would be acceptable and that Chief Officer RFA families a very Merry Christmas and a successful wherever possible, additional measures would be taken Afloat Support Programme Manager New Year. to enhance safety standards. Abbey Wood Gunline - 3 RFA FORT VICTORIA - THE PIRATE HUNTER nder the command of Captain Rob Dorey, RFA towing a Skiff with a large number of people onboard. hooked ladder and grappling irons were visible. There UFORT VICTORIA departed the sunny climes of The Royal Marines took to their boats and with the were 10 people crowded on the deck. They put up no Crombie in the early hours of Sunday 29th August at helicopter and RM Snipers in support approached the resistance when confronted with Fort Victoria and the start of OPERATION CAPRI, this year’s counter whaler. The whaler attempted to make a break for it to boats of Royal Marines heading their way. They later piracy surge and the UK’s answer to the growing the shoreline but was easily surrounded in seconds by claimed to have been at sea for 45 days, though this is pirate threat from Somalia. The area off Somalia the fast RHIBS and ORCS. Once onboard the doubtful, but they had been using the ladder as a includes major shipping lanes, affectionately known suspected whaler a search uncovered six AK variant make-shift sail to save what fuel they had left. They as the M1 of the sea. The various units embarked assault rifles and an RPG with four warheads along admitted to being pirates and had thrown their included the Royal Marines from Fleet Contingency with a ladder that could have been used to board an weapons over the side as the Royal Marines Troop (FCT), part of Fleet Protection Group Royal unsuspecting merchant vessel. The nine pirates were approached. The 10 pirates were detained and held in Marines (FPGRM), a Merlin from 820 Naval Air put in their skiff and dispatched ashore with oars. The the purpose built holding facility on the poop deck Squadron (NAS) and members of Maritime Aviation whaler with the rest of their pirate paraphernalia was after they had been examined by the medical team and Support Force (MASF), both from Culdrose, a Role 2 rigged with explosives and blown to pieces and an provided with food and water. The end result of the Afloat Medical Team (R2A) drawn from the various impressive fireball lit up the night sky, watched by the successful boarding was a spectacular explosion as military and NHS hospitals ashore and the Task Group proud ship’s company. the whaler along with ammunition and fuel went up in Commander (Colonel Mark Gray CO FPGRM) and On the 12 October, in a respite from the continuous a ball of flame. his staff. boarding of fishing vessels to gather intelligence, the Numerous other incidents filled the time during a The hospital on Fort Victoria had been transformed ship “Crossed the Line” on its way to the Seychelles. busy and successful time. The Merlin flew regular into a mini ER with the latest X-ray and sterilising King Neptune was present and the ritual of the surveillance sorties and the intelligence team pieced machines along with a blood bank. The Royal Crossing the Line Ceremony took place. Organised by together the detail of the various pirate camps, while Marines brought with them two rigid inflatable boats the medical team, the afternoon went off without a patrols using the ship, boats and helicopter aimed to (RHIB), two armoured offshore raiding craft (ORC) hitch. Over 130 people sampled the delights of “spicy locate and intercept suspected PAGs before they and two inflatable raiding craft (IRC), and of course medicine” and an “injection” of something hot and escaped into the open ocean. 820 NAS brought the Merlin. This was the formidable putrid and a free swim in the tank with who knows The deployment since departing Souda Bay in early force that was to be unleashed to carry out counter what. Those that had made the mistake of making a September, where we embarked all the remaining piracy operations. run for it got double helpings of the punishment. personnel, has lasted 87 days, and during that time The Ship was through the Suez Canal by the 13th Many of the RFA, STON, Royal Marines and Royal Fort Victoria has been alongside in port for two days September and started the Combat Enhancement and Navy who had never crossed the line before had their and had three further days at anchor. Force Integration training package with HMS many amusing charges read out. The day was Captain Rob Dorey said of the Deployment: “This Northumberland. The skills of the RFA weapons rounded off with a smashing BBQ in the evening. has been a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate the teams were honed and quick draw practised The Seychelles provided the ideal logistics hub, flexibility and adaptability of the Royal Fleet relentlessly. The Marines from FCT, a specialist unit being the closest port to our operating area off the Auxiliary. It has broadened the understanding of the with enhanced boarding capabilities, practised their Somali coast. With flights direct from the UK for the RFA amongst a range of personnel from a variety of boarding skills. The launching and recovery of the joiners and those returning home, but most embarked units afloat and HQs ashore and has given boats embarked was practised and the procedures importantly it provided a reliable route for the the RFA team the chance to experience operational refined. The Merlin from 820 NAS was also put resupply of blood to the Role 2 Hospital onboard. The and reactive aviation and boarding operations. It has through its paces. On successful completion of the limited shelf life of blood meant that a regular been hard work and has involved long and far from training, the mobile FOST team signed off Fort resupply was needed and this became the driving routine hours. The odd grumble was not unexpected Victoria’s capability as up to standard to deliver her force behind the deployment sustainment plan. Spare and in some cases probably warranted, as the need to own Level 2 Boarding Capability. When combined parts and essential stores were also flown to the react to emergent tasking will always appear to align with HMS Northumberland, larger and more complex Seychelles and food was imported from Europe as the with meal times and rest periods rather than deconflict vessels could also be taken on. The combined team of islands produce little themselves. as we would wish. That said, the whole team have RFA, RN RM and one or two individuals from other The second major incident of the deployment was done a cracking job with the ship at full capacity and services were now eager and raring to go. The hunt for on the 13th November. The MV ARTHUR, a embarked personnel have been extremely appreciative the “Black Pearl” was on. Seychelles Tuna Vessel radioed that they were being of the flexibility shown by the RFA. Piracy in the The crew and embarked forces did not have to wait followed by a suspicious vessel with a skiff on the region will not be solved overnight, but all in FORT long for their first contact. On the 2nd of October, Fort deck. Fort Victoria immediately went full steam VICTORIA can be rightly proud of what we have Victoria’s Merlin spotted a possible pirate action towards the suspected pirates, preparing boats for achieved”. group, known as a PAG. They had found a Whaler boarding. The contact was identified as a PAG, as a

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If you have any suggestions about ways in which the scheme could be improved, or if you know of companies either nationally or locally that offer discounts but don’t appear on the website, please use the feedback facility available on the homepage of the website. Currently the website has over 144,000 members so there are lots of you out there who have not yet accessed the benefits you are entitled to! So why not join up now (there’s no time like the present) and see how much money you can save? 4 - Gunline GREY ROVER - THE FINAL CHAPTER by Chief Officer Chris Locke istorical articles and maritime books often refer to begin it had to be cleared of asbestos by the rewards from ship Hthe term ‘the ship was broken up in year...’ or ‘sent a suitably registered contractor, this took longer than recycling can be high to scrap in year…’. Rarely do we give thought to the planned but the dismantling of the external parts of the particularly with older implications of what the term actually means, except ship started quickly. First to ships like Grey Rover and that the ship is no longer in service, the name just feel the heat of the gas axe Sir Percivale which were memories for past crew members and documented in man’s torch was the built from high grade steel old publications of Lloyds List. However, in reality the overhanging flight deck and in Sir Percivale’s case scrapping of a ship is an eye opening process with an section (Photographs 4 & part aluminium. The inevitable ending. There is no room for sentiment in the 5) quickly followed by the Photograph 12 material from both Grey ship scrapping trade. It is clearing of the poop deck Rover and Sir Percivale will eventually be shipped off to said that a picture paints a area. This allowed one of either China or Eastern Europe where it will be thousand words; I found Photograph 6 this especially appropriate the cutting machines to be processed an used on building projects or pressed into when going through the craned onto what was now a clear area so that once free sheet steel for future shipbuilding. However, valuable images I have taken over from asbestos the mighty jaws of the machine and specialised pieces of the past year recording the (Photograph 6) could start cutting and ripping equipment are sold dismantling of RFA Grey the accommodation area separately; for example Photograph 1 Rover. It was for this reason into small sections. both the main engines areto that I decided to write this short article and include the These sections were then be overhauled by a following thought provoking images. unceremoniously dropped company in Newcastle and It is a sad fact but in recent years the decommissioning into the dock bottom shipped abroad for use in a and scrapping of RFA vessels has gained momentum awaiting the monthly power station. due in the main to the more arrival of massive cranes The infamous Paxman Photograph 13 stringent requirements for generators have found homes including one used in a Photograph 7 fitted with grabs operating tankers and the (Photograph 7) which technical college for training engineer apprentices. The ever increasing constraints transferred the twisted and tangled pieces of metal onto Viking rescue boat has been sold to a local man in on budgets for repairs and lorries for weighing and then the final journey to the Liverpool who intends to completely restore the boat to refits particularly for great mountain of scrap steel (Photograph 8) its former glory and the older ships that are no that surround Canada Dock. lifeboats are now being longer viable to keep Photograph 2 With the accommodation used as line handling and operational. Until recently quickly disappearing mooring boats at a dock in decommissioned RFA’s were seen passing the Round Holland. Leavesley has Tower under tow, destined for foreign dismantling yards (Photographs 9, 10 & 11 work started on the bow also donated Sir Percivale’s and once over the horizon were usually forgotten about. starboard anchor to However, this was to change with the scrapping of Grey section, first with the removal of the bow thrust the National Memorial Rover. For the first time in Arboretum. Also worth a number of years a UK unit which had already been sold before the dismantling Photograph 8 noting is that a number of less valuable but more firm had been awarded the sentimental items have been placed on Ebay allowing contract to dismantle an process had started. To follow was the forward tanks access to those with a desire to purchase items of the RFA. A subsidiary of the and storage areas including the drummed lube oil and ship as memorabilia. Leavesley International Bosun’s stores. Looking down from where RASCO Last Autumn I wrote an Group, the same company once stood the ship’s sides article for Gunline titled ‘A to dismantle HMS Intrepid, have been cut away and Photograph 3 Grey Day for Grey Rover’ won the bid to break up and fallen to the dock bottom re-cycle Grey Rover. Based at Canada Dock in requesting anecdotal stories looking more like a and personal accounts from Liverpool, Leavesley has over the past year been slowly collapsed pack of cards been taking apart the ship and today the remains either serving or retired thana ship’s bow structure RFA personnel about their are almost unrecognisable (Photograph 1). (Photograph 12). I hope this article and my accompanying photographs memories associated with The final remains of give an insight into the practical and un-romantic, yet the ship. To date the the accommodation were Photograph 9 Photograph 15 environ-mentally green, feedback has been enco- modern day process of ship cleared down to the main deck (Photograph 13) last uraging and I now have a number of stories to weave recycling. The process month and the last deck structure to fall was the RAS into the life and history of the ship however, I am still started last Autumn when derrick masts or ‘goal posts’ as they became looking for more. If anybody has a suitable story they Grey Rover was towed from affectionately known by the ‘wrecking team’. To a would wish to record along with photographs I Portsmouth to Liverpool passer-by the Grey Rover would be grateful if they could be sent to entering Canada Dock on would now be difficult to [email protected] where I will piece 18 October 2009. After identify with just a few them together to record the ship’s life. Photograph 4 being unceremoniously remaining cargo hatches Modern day ship scrapping or breaking has come a dragged into the dock carrying their identifying long way since the days of running ships up the beach (Photograph 2) she remained afloat for a number of marks distinguishable on in India where engines were left cavitating until either weeks while awaiting the arrival of RFA Sir Percivale the tank deck (Photograph their boilers blew up or the engine seized with crew who was also to suffer the same fate. Ironically during 14). All that remains to members dis-embarked by lifeboat onto the beach below with their suitcases. this process the two ships collided damaging the bow Photograph 10 complete the recycling sections of both vessels (Photograph 3) but on this process is to remove the Even the name recycling occasion no one batted an eye lid, the requirement to MCR and main engines (Photograph 15) and the cutting has different connotations. write up a S232 had long up of the mid section centre and wing tanks. When I last In an age where recycling passed! Problems with the walked over what is left of the main deck (Photograph has become an important antiquated dock gate and part of everyday life, ship 16) it was strange to see the ballast water I loaded in pumps further delayed the breaking has become a Loch Striven five years emptying of dock water, respectable and profitable Photograph 16 the two ships defiantly earlier still sitting there in business. The final chapter delaying their inevitable the tanks untouched with for Grey Rover is now drawing to a close but it is fate even longer. However, very little of the ship left heartening to know that all that could be reused from early in the New Year the around me. I later found the ship has either been sold to have a second life or Photograph 5 water was finally pumped out that the tanks had been reprocessed for use on some future construction. out and both ships took to the bottom of the dock. For left full to add weight to the Although thought provoking and at times depressing to me it was strange to see both hulls sitting on the dock structure to keep the hull watch I have found the whole process fascinating and floor, instead of being carefully positioned onto docking Photograph 11 firmly in place. now have a far greater understanding of what is blocks. With scrap steel valued around £250 per tonne and involved when a ship has been reported to have been Before any dismantling of the accommodation could brass, aluminium and copper worth considerably more broken up in … or scrapped in …. Gunline - 5 Success at the Naval Service Culinary Arts Team Exercise Joint Caterer 2010 xercise Joint Caterer, formerly the Combined Moon and CK/AST Gary Wooton took on the biggest best overall competitor, chosen from amongst a team of EService Culinary Challenge, is the annual flagship challenge in the competition, the Parade de Chef. The 75 entrants. Unfortunately, but for good reason, L/H event in the armed forces culinary calendar. The team had to prepare, cook and present a three course Adam Syrett had to withdraw from the competition, to primary aim of the challenge is to provide chefs and meal for a group of 64 VIPs which included Cdre go and support his wife who had given birth to a baby stewards of the armed forces with a competition which Walworth, RFA; V.Adml. Montgomery, 2SL; Lt Gen boy. Many Congratulations! encourages participants to further develop their Robison RM,COS-CAP and our very own DACOS CPO Rowberry joins culinary skills, nurtures pride in professional LSO, Capt Drew, to name but a few celebrities amongst up with the elite CSCAT achievement and builds team spirit. the VIPs. The meal was served by CPO Joe Brown and team, consisting of 12 The tenth year of this prestigious event was held eight RFA trainee stewards from DMLS. The three chefs from across the Tri- at Sandown Park between Judges for the event were drawn up from a highly Service to compete at the 27–30 Sept 10 and was experienced cadre of judges. The majority of the marks the Culinary World Cup yet again an extremely were awarded for demonstrating quality of craft skills, in Luxembourg before successful competition, including presentation, taste, teamwork, menu taking up his appoi- well attended by both compilation, food safety and teamwork organisation. ntment in RFA supporters and competitors. The team excelled and was awarded the trophy, silver CARDIGAN BAY. Mat Rowberry collecting the Team Manager Award The Naval Service team medals and best in class commemorative plates, Congratulations to all for outstanding contrib- comprised of 75 partic- beating their peers from the Army and RAF. those taking part in the utions from Capt Kyte Second Sea Lord, V. Adml ipants this year and in total It did not stop there; during three days of intense event and to the fantastic Montgomery CBE with picked up an impressive competition, L/H Simon Dunne was awarded a bronze achievements and successes. There is an excellent an RFA Steward eight gold medals, 12 best medal in the inter-service open cook and serve teaming opportunity to build on our strengths and successes this in class awards, 34 silver medals, 24 bronze medals and up with AST/CK Gary Wooton who also won a bronze year by encouraging more individuals and teams to 16 certificates of merit. A fantastic haul of medals and medal. They both went on to win additional bronze participate next year. Planning for EX Joint Caterer 11 the team’s best performance for nine years. medals in senior fish dish and open vegetarian dish. commences early in 2011. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary chefs competing had Day three, PO Mat Rowberry, L/H Tom McAlpine People requiring further information on entering demonstrated and applied their skills to earn the and CK/AST Gary Wooton gained more bronze medals next year’s competition, or supporting EX Joint Caterer privilege of competing against the best of the Armed in a team of six preparing and serving the inter-service should contact the Naval Service Team Manager - Forces. open team buffet. PO Mat Rowberry went on to be First Officer Pat Prunty on 02392 62 5819 CPO Mat Rowberry, PO Tom McAlpine, L/H Paul awarded the Naval Service Team Manager Award for [email protected]

A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE: UNDERSTANDING HOW WE ARE WHERE WE ARE by Captain Chris Clarke eptember 2010 was a significant date for the RFA; endowment policies early and risk reducing the value of Running alongside this since 2009 was the RFA Value Swe received a ‘clearer picture’ on the initial the endowment; abandon some or all luxuries like for Money (VfM) Review – an exercise to look at all outcomes for the MoD from the newly elected holidays, weekends away, meals out etc; sell the car and areas of government business to see whether there was Coalition Government’s policy initiatives. Whilst we travel by foot; turn off the heating; eat less; resort to a a better way to manage the departments and / or were all focused on the impacts to the RFA here in HQ, bit of ‘moon-lighting (with risk to your job if caught) – whether a sale of some assets could be viable. For the it was the financial effects of the Comprehensive or maybe a combination of them all? The harsh reality RFA this was certainly a debate worth having as we had Spending Review (CSR) that provided some of the is that cutting back by £540 every month would be a good case to present and our colleagues in the most balanced early reading. So, to understand why the extremely challenging. And that is exactly the position Merchant Navy had a vote too and their case was strong RFA is where we are, I thought it useful to give you the Government finds itself in - except their numbers in terms of reducing cost. Given the financial some figures, thoughts and outlooks for your are much larger. circumstances I described above, you need to consideration as we look to understand why the RFA is The difficulty for the Government, is to say how they understand that HM Treasury was equally keen to required to down-size. intend to finance the shortfall and close the gap between reduce RFA expenditure wherever it could as a means Predicted government spending for 2010/11 amounts income and expenditure. The Comprehensive Spending to help cut the deficit. But the outcome, detailed below, to £697Bn, Social Services, Health and Education Review (CSR) highlighted amongst other policies is achievable as commercial companies will no longer accounting for nearly 60% of this. Of note is the fact the following, about 490,000 public sector be able to realistically claim they can do what we do for that, the Defence budget at approx £37Bn is less than jobs could be lost / Average 19% four-year cut less risk and cost to Government. the £44Bn required to pay the current interest in departmental budgets / Structural deficit to be So, as the dust settles and the MoD Department outstanding on government debt, which in itself is 6% eliminated by 2015/£7Bn in additional welfare budget considers the Strategic Defence and Security Review, of the total spend! Government spending will be ‘paid cuts / Police funding cut by 4% a year / Retirement age its internal planning round (PR11) discussions and RFA for’ through taxation, £548Bn and further borrowings to rise from 65 to 66 by 2020/English schools budget VfM outcome, we must consider the impact on the of £149Bn (21% of the total). However, to close the protected; £2Bn extra for social care / NHS budget in RFA: deficit, government are also committing itself to cuts, England to rise every year until 2015 / Regulated rail savings and efficiencies across all areas of public fares to rise 3% above inflation / Bank levy to be made • Of losing Largs Bay, Bayleaf and Fort George business. permanent etc…’ from around April 2011 To put this into picture, this equates for example to But most importantly to us, the impact on defence – • The reduction of our operating expenditure in an individual earning around £2,000 per month after the headline being current and capital spending cut by relation to RFA ship reductions tax, already with committed monthly outgoings of 7.5%. Whilst of course there were many good news • The delivering of an additional 10% reduction in £2,000, suddenly finding themselves with an stories in the announcements, we, as mariners, only overall costs ‘unexpected’ debt to settle equating to an additional seem to remember the bad. On manpower the RAF and £540 per month. They would have to think about what Navy will lose 5,000 jobs each, the Army 7,000 and the This will be a challenge but we must arrive at a personal changes they would need to make to find that MoD 25,000 civil servants (of which the RFA is a part). position where we can demonstrate that the way to £540, every month , a total of £6,480 every year each For the Navy, the Harriers, Ark Royal and 4 Frigates deliver the most cost-effective and flexible maritime year for 5 years? have been or will be decommissioned with either Ocean operational support is through the RFA Service. That Options could include, stop saving; cut back mortgage or Illustrious to follow. Critically for the RFA, our fleet means 2 things – reputation and cost, vis-à-vis payments extending the length of the mortgage, of resupply and refuelling vessels will be scaled down maintaining our reputation as best in the business whilst assuming the lender will allow you to; cash-in accordingly to meet the Royal Navy’s requirements. ensuring we avoid all unnecessary expenditure. 6 - Gunline A388 – THE ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY’S BUSIEST AVIATION PLATFORM

he AURIGA 10 deployment on the eastern Another flying package Interesting aviation statistics: Tseaboard of the United States now seems an age took place, this time to ago for RFA Fort George, her officers and crew as she train four RAF pilots, from Month Ship at Flying Stations No of Landings No of Launches has continued since her return with a busy operational 22 Squadron RAF, as Deck programme. Landing Practice Inst- Sep (from 22nd) 35h 20m 38 38 After a short routine maintenance period (AMP) in ructors, under the watchful Oct 293h16m 252 252 Crombie she sailed in support of 824 Naval Air eye of Naval Flying Squadron (NAS) with a series of training exercises Standards Flight (Rotary Wing) (NFSF (RW)). It was very unusual to see a As the embarked AVSO, I realise that this is an aviation bright yellow aircraft on the flight deck of Fort George; biased article. I am very aware that Fort George has it was even more unusual to witness a yellow aircraft been extremely busy within other departments of the behind a grey and red aircraft on the ship’s flight deck. ship and so to keep you non aviators happy, here are Two Sea King helicopters from 771 NAS RNAS some of the other statistics relating to Fort George’s Culdrose joined in with 22 Squadron RAF for a multi other recent activities. aircraft inter service FLYEX, a unique experience for The STO(N) has conducted a total of 31 Heavy the aircraft and the ship. The Royal Naval Search and Jackstay loads to HMS Monmouth, HMS York and Rescue helicopters then proceeded to carrying out four HMS Ark Royal totalling 19 tonnes. They have also involving two Merlin helicopters. The ship’s company days of deck landing practice. During this period provided weighted Pall-net loads for VERTREP again demonstrating their ability to deliver integrated several pilots and two FLYCO Officers received some training. support to the Royal Navy. On completion of the flying valuable multi aircraft, multi spot training. The Deck department have also had a very training she then proceeded to the west coast of On completion of 771 NAS and 22 Squadron RAF demanding period. They have distributed 3461 tons of Scotland for Joint Warrior 102 (JW 102) for some fuel during 25 Replenishments. intensive Tier 2 Operational Training. Another two Merlin helicopters, engineering Worthy of note are: equipment and personnel from 814 NAS were embarked from RNAS Culdrose for JW 102. They G A series of five crane rig replenishments with were supported with an array of manpower from the MCMV’s on the 5th Oct. recently commissioned Maritime Aviation Support G A series of five replenishments with five Force (MASF). Whilst the squadron were embarked, different class of ship from five different countries on they achieved an impressive 90 hours of flying. The Fort George will conduct a 10 day Flying Training the 14th Oct. squadron disembarked on completion of JW 102 to Package with three Sea King aircraft from 848 NAS assist with HMS York’s High Seas Firing (HSF). based at RNAS Yeovilton, followed by a five day Lt Matt Weetch RN In the mean time Fort George headed south to meet Training Package with a Chinook CH47 aircraft from AVSO up with a RAF Sea King helicopter from Chivenor. the Joint Helicopter Command. RFA FORT GEORGE ‘WAVE RULER’ RAISES MONEY FOR GRENADA’S J. J. ROBINSON TRUST

he crew of RFA WAVE RULER held a fund raising went on to explain that in 2/O(X) Fuller commented Tday onboard the ship to raise money for the J.J. Grenada teenagers as young as “Having the opportunity to Robinson Trust, a charity primarily involved in 11 fall pregnant due to abuse, view the hard work done by all secondary and college education supporting students crime and miss-education. associated with the J.J. from disadvantaged backgrounds who require financial These individuals are viewed Robinson Trust it really drives assistance to continue as a bad influence on the rest home how much we take for their studies. The day of the student population. For granted in the UK. I am sure was a great success this reason P.A.M. was the small sum we raised will and the ship presented established through the go a long way to help $600 US to Mrs Coalition of the rights of the individuals less fortunate than Jean Robinson MBE Child and GRENSAVE, and ourselves.” President of the trust. given the mandate to develop a programme for teenage 3/O(LS) Flint presented Mrs Robinson with $600 Mrs Jean Robinson mothers and pregnant adolescents. US Dollars donation stating “that on behalf of WAVE MBE (President of the Not only does the school teach core subjects such RULER it was a pleasure to donate the money to such trust) invited both 3/O as English, Mathematics it provides the young women a worthy cause”. It is hoped that the money will be Flint and 2/O Fuller to visit the Programme for with skills programmes in aspects such as utilised to continue the fine work of the trust. Adolescent Mothers (PAM) a school for teenage food and nutrition and clothing and textiles. Through mothers that the Trust supports. these skill programmes NB: The J.J. Robinson Trust is a non-profit P.A.M. provides the opportunity for teenagers to the young mothers are company in Grenada but is also registered with the UK continue with their education completing the able to learn how to Charity Commission No. 1135911 and is a member of CXC (Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level fend for themselves and the UK Gift Aid scheme. Competence) which are equivalent to UK GCSE’s look after their by providing a children. nursery facility Although funding is for infants of the received from the teenage mothers government, UNICEF on site. and other agencies, Mrs Laurence funding is still required the Director of to obtain up to date textbooks, to repair the leaking Pictures shows the school, a class of students, Mrs Laurence and Mrs Robinson MBE, 2/O P.A.M. stated school roof, to provide a bigger nursery facility, Fuller with a student at the school and 3/O “the school takes teenagers who have been expelled maintain the premises and help fund the transportation presenting the donation to Mrs J Robinson from other schools due to becoming pregnant”. She to enable the teenagers to attend the school. MBE. Gunline - 7 SEA CADETS LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO FIND OLD SHIPMATES

ea Cadets, one of Britain’s most endearing youth charities, is asking Britain only possible with the incredible support of volunteers who use their own skills, S‘Were you a Sea Cadet?’ Charity records show that over the last 70 years almost knowledge and experience to guide, coach and encourage the next generation of 1 million people have been a Sea Cadet at some point, that’s one person in 60 of the sailors. UK population, and the charity wants to reconnect with them to build up a picture of The Sea Cadets date back to the Crimean War when sailors returning home from Sea Cadets now and then. the campaign formed Naval Lads’ Brigades to help orphans, created by the conflict, Over the years the charity has seen some famous names grow from many of whom ended up on the back streets of sea ports. The first ex Sea Cadets including, Sean Connery, Paul O Grady, Dan Snow, brigade was established at Whitstable in 1854. By 1899, Sea Cadets former deputy prime minister John Prescott, jazz musician Kenny Ball received Royal recognition when Queen Victoria presented the and actor Paul Bethany. Windsor unit with £10 for uniforms – an event now known as the The charity, established in 1854, recently updated its image making birthday of the Sea Cadets – celebrated on June 25th. Today the it more appealing to young people but it also wants to hear from former tradition of community - based Sea Cadet Units continues with 400 cadets who can help the charity, either with a one off donation, a spot across the UK, each with charitable status and staffed entirely by of volunteering or who might just be interested to hear what Sea Cadets volunteers. All are members of the Sea Cadet Corps, governed by the has been up to. parent charity MSSC, together they offer unrivalled adventure Sea Cadets is driven by the support of the Royal Navy and the 8500      opportunities for 14,000 young people. Where are you now, we’d love to hear from volunteers who help inspire and train young cadets each week. you! We need your support. Please get in The special relationship between the Sea Cadets and the Royal touch at [email protected] Volunteering is for many a real vocation, but it is often claimed that visit sea-cadets.org / 020 7654 7000 Navy continues and this support enables the charity to offer cadets

Sea Cadets is one of the country’s best kept secrets, yet with one in A charity registered in England and Wales exceptional training and sailing opportunities. With a fleet of 250 313013 and in Scotland SC037808 every 60th person having been a Sea Cadet it seems everyone should conventional motorboats, 3,000 dinghies, plus canoes and windsurf know a former Sea Cadet based on the famous 6 degrees of separation. boards, and access to six offshore training vessels (including the Across the UK 14000 young people aged between 10 and 18 get involved in Sea recently commissioned power vessel, TS JACK PETCHEY) a 24metre power vessel. Cadet activities, learning vital life skills like leadership and team working via Former Sea Cadets can get in touch with the charity by visiting the website: sea challenging adventure activities on a naval theme. They can earn extra qualifications – cadets.org, emailing us at [email protected] or call: 020 7654 7000 or write to us at: too which can boost confidence and give young people a head start in life. This is I was a former Sea Cadet, MSSC, 202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7JW

illiam Russell Wingrove was finally christened THE RICHARD JONES AWARD 2009 Wonboard RFA ARGUS on the 30 Oct 2010 after ongratulations to 3/O(X) Paul Stubley who was three previous attempts had been cancelled due to Cthe recipient of the Richard Jones award for an transfers and port changes. William follows in his outstanding Cadetship. The award is presented on an sister’s steps as Elizabeth was christened onboard RFA annual basis in memory of the late Chief Officer FORT ROSALIE in 2009. Richard Jones, who held the position of Cadet Training ARGUS holds special memories for Williams’s Officer from 1983 to 1985 – he maintained a keen parents as they first interest and enthusiasm for the training of RFA Cadets met on ARGUS in throughout his career. 1999 when James was Paul was selected for the Richard Jones award Second Officer and following excellent performance at college combined Debbie (formerly with outstanding sea going reports. He consistently Debbie Russell) was a demonstrated drive and determination and became an cadet. James and excellent asset to the Bridge Team wherever he served. Debbie were married He is no doubt a very worthy recipient of the Richard in 2002 and have since moved to North Devon. Debbie Jones Award. left the RFA in 2004 and has since served on a number During his training Paul served on RFA Fort of vessels ranging from Trinity House Vessels to Tall Pictured left to right: Rosalie, Wave Knight, Lyme Bay and Black Rover. Ships via Clyde Marine. She has now hung up her sea Commodore Bill Walworth OBE, RFA, Third Officer (X) Paul boots for the time being to become a full time Mum Paul took up his first appointment as 3/O(X) on Stubley receiving the Richard Jones Award for 2009 from Mrs RFA Largs Bay in August 2010. Jane Jones. looking after William (aged 1) and Elizabeth (aged 2).

RFA COM UPDATE FOR GUNLINE – DECEMBER 2010

he Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Community Website The RFA Community website has 1613 registered G Crew Lists (updated monthly) T(rfacom.mod.uk) is for RFA Personnel, families users (up to and including December 2010). G Frequently Asked Questions and friends and officers a wide range of information The member’s area is only open to personnel and G Emergency Contact Details on RFA matters. their families who have registered to use this facility. G BFPO and UIN numbers Connecting and supporting the RFA Community This is a protected area and only information of an G Liberty Boat routines worldwide every day, this internet based Community unclassified nature can be published. The site is G Appointers contact details Support facility is for all of us in the Royal Fleet moderated, and strictly forbids the inclusion of G MOD Forms 305 and 306 Auxiliary Community. If you are, or were, a member information such as forthcoming port visits and other G Promotion Notices of the RFA, a family member or friend, this site may aspects of a ships’ programme. G Business Partner Bulletins be of interest to you. The current topics being discussed on the website G Gunline and Cascade Briefs It should be noted that this service is not intended include: Club Class Travel, Free Gym Membership to replace or duplicate the Deployment News that for RFA, New 305 Form, RFA in the news, Mori Poll, More information and views are appearing all the units currently publish on their official pages of the VFM and Royal Maersk Auxiliary to name a few….. time, and the service is rapidly expanding. Royal Fleet Auxiliary website (rfa.mod.uk). This is aimed at a much wider audience, including the The following information is available to those who Register for an account today and keep up to date! general public, potential recruits and journalists. have registered for an account: 8 - Gunline “DILIGENCE THE BASE FOR WORK BASED LEARNING”

n the 7th of October 2010 I joined area. DILIGENCE’s role in this was scramble up a cargo net, clearly the lucky enough to meet their Midshipmen Omy first ship, RFA DILIGENCE, conducting surveillance and French version of a pilot ladder, me and and we were able to discuss the in Fujairah UAE. Despite the heat and a reconnaissance of various vessels of the other lucky few were received with similarities and differences between long tiring flight from the UK, I was interest. As a cadet from the merchant warmth by the French crew. After being each other’s training. The Midshipmen determined to make a good impression navy training pool this was all new to shown to the wardroom I met with the proceeded to show me around their as a young sprightly Deck Cadet. As me however I was briskly brought up to French Officers and Captain and we vessel and I was impressed at how time went on, I found myself learning speed and I found it all very exciting! discussed life on board each other’s informative they all were on the ship’s Soon enough DILIGENCE collaborated with other units in the region for training and operations. The other units included USS WINSTON S CHURCHILL, Pakistan frigate PNS KHAIBAR (formerly HMS ARROW) and FNS COMMANDANTE BOUAN, a French frigate. Our exercises included DILIGENCE acting as a suspect vessel and search platform for the other vessel’s boarding teams. As a keen first trip cadet I volunteered to play one of ships, each vessel’s capabilities and routines, weapon systems and the crew members of the suspect vessel. various other ship matters over an capabilities. On completion of the tour I quickly found myself being asked aperitif and wine – which was gratefully we had an early lunch of curry and questions I didn’t know the answer to received! As well as learning about each exchanged gifts. and generally being bossed around, just other’s ships we discussed each nation’s On returning to DILIGENCE I was an extraordinary amount, being worked like being on watch with the Navigator aspirations in the forthcoming Six asked what I thought of each ship, and hard by the Navigator as well as then! I am sure we offered an excellent Nation’s rugby tournament, which was in true Cadet fashion, I responded with adjusting to life at sea. Nevertheless, I training platform for the American, unfortunate for me being Scottish. After “the food on both ships was delicious remained as keen and as eager as lunch I met with their Navigator and sir”. possible, volunteering without question was given a tour of the ship. All the DILIGENCE is now finishing her for everything (big mistake!). On Officers on board gave the impression maritime security work for a while and sailing Fujairah we proceeded to patrol of being incredibly professional and is back to her primary role supporting the Gulf of Oman, and I was assigned knowledgeable, and thus having the other units in the region. This side of the bridge watches with the Navigator; I ability to use their vessel to its job is another excellent opportunity to quickly found that the pace of learning maximum potential. It was a very gain experience in conducting was only going to get faster! enjoyable afternoon. operations completely different from Once DILIGENCE put to sea we Later on in the week, after some anything I or any of my other college were quickly tasked with conducting slightly lumpy weather that stalled the classmates have done with their surveys under the control of the muti- French and Pakistani teams. As way of training a little, I visited KHAIBAR. respective appointments. I now look national Combined Task Force (CTF) appreciation, each ship offered Apart from the excitement of visiting forward to spending my first Christmas 150. CTF 150 directs maritime security DILIGENCE the opportunity to ‘cross another foreign warship, I was and Hogmanay onboard ship and the operations Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, deck’ which involved our crew visiting interested to see for myself how the old challenges that lie ahead in the New Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman their ship for lunch in turn and I was British Warship had fared. After Year. counter terrorism, and other related fortunate enough to visit both the meeting their XO we were promptly activities. In doing so it promotes French and the Pakistani vessels. shown into their wardroom to meet their Rory Stevenson regional security, stability and is an After a high speed crash boat ride to Officers and discuss the differences in Cadet (X) active and visible naval presence in the FS COMMANDANTE BOUAN and a culture between our vessels. I was also RFA DILIGENCE

RFA TO BE REMEMBERED NATIONALLY reated in 1997, the site is in the heart of the naval area and impression of a bow wave. The RFA CNational Memorial backs onto a vast oak wood where every crest, RFA ensign and other RFA details Arboretum (NMA) is an tree represents a merchant ship lost will be engraved into both bow and seat. extensive 150 acres of during the Atlantic convoys. The design We expect to submit this design for parkland in Alrewas, near totally reflects the traditions and values approval at the next NMA Trustee Tamworth. It is a special Meeting and then commence building place created to commemorate those the memorial as soon as we have who have served, and continue to serve sufficient funds. The armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas our nation in many different ways. The Donations to fund this memorial are site houses a combination of Military most welcome and next year we are and Civilian memorials. planning a fundraising campaign to Mailing List Some time ago a fund was set up invite all serving and retired RFA With GUNLINE now available in with the aim of raising donations to seafarers to help meet our target of electronic format on the RFA page on enable us to erect an RFA memorial. We of the Service, past and present and will £20K to enable the project to be the www.royalnavy.mod.uk website have now been able to come up with a be a highly distinctive memorial. completed. and the RFA Community website design that fully reflects the RFA The artist’s impression shows a We have already raised £5K through www.rncom.mod.uk there is now the Service. We have agreed a site that looks 1200mm tall bow carved out of a single charitable functions and donations, if opportunity to reduce the amount of down an avenue of oak tees to the main three tonne block of granite with a you wish to help organise an event or unwanted mail. If you would like to circular armed forces memorial which is curved seat behind in the same rock. financially support the campaign, please read GUNLINE on line and stop where the RFA personnel who lost their This sits on a compass base made out of contact Robin Lock at the following receiving it in the post please e.mail lives in 1982 are listed. The proposed blue grey quartz stone paving giving the address - [email protected] me at [email protected]. Gunline - 9

RFA WAVE RULER

RFA FORT VICTORIA RFA BAYLEAF RFA LYME BAY RFA DILIGENCE

RFA BLACK ROVER

WAVE KNIGHT Conducting sea trials off Portland. WAVE RULER Conducting duties as APT(N) in support of allied nations assets in the Caribbean prior to sailing to north to United States for programmed maintenance. GOLD ROVER Completion of refit in Birkenhead prior to Sailing south to restore. BLACK ROVER Enroute from Simonstown to the South Atlantic to resume APT(S) duties. RFA FORT ROSALIE BAYLEAF In the Middle East working as the Arabian Gulf Ready Tanker. ORANGELEAF Conducting FOST tanker duties in support of operational training. FORT VICTORIA Deployed in the Middle East in support of National Operations currently RFA FORT GEORGE alongside for a programmed maintenance period. FORT GEORGE In Scotland conducting de-store preparations. FORT AUSTIN Alongside in Portsmouth. FORT ROSALIE IN BIRKENHEAD RFA GOLD ROVER Alongside in Scotland restoring post refit. CARDIGAN BAY Arrival in Portsmouth on return from Gulf taskings. MOUNTS BAY Currently undertaking a maintenance period in Portland. LYME BAY Undertaking upgrade of equipment in line with OP TELIC tasking. LARGS BAY Alongside in Portland undergoing de-storing. ARGUS Conducting internal training prior to a period of FOST training. RFA FORT AUSTIN RFA CARDIGAN BAY DILIGENCE RFA WAVE KNIGHT En route to Gulf region prior to undergoing a scheduled maintenance RFA MOUNTS BAY programme. RFA ARGUS RFA LARGS BAY RFA ORANGELEAF

Provided courtesy of The U.K. Hydrographic Office 10 - Gunline THE PHOENIX HAS RISEN? “FANCY DOING A BSSC/ISSC/5R”? – A QUESTION THAT SEEMS TO STRIKE FEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF THE MAJORITY OF RFA PERSONNEL.

ike most of the older generation in the RFA, I arrangement to prevent pollution. latest “toy” is a Marine Evacuation System trainer Lremember the old fire school at Horsea Island and Whilst on course you will form part of a Support (MES), as fitted to the LSDAs. This is an 8 metre chute the warnings of the then older generation – “You don’t Party swapping rolls with each “Run” through the and has been described as “just like Alton towers, but want to go there they burn you”. My own memory of units. Instructors on the fire ground are all Royal Navy free”. an RN PO putting his boot on my head to push me or Flagship and are highly trained in both fire fighting So is it all fun here? Well no, before any of the down a ladder into a raging inferno didn’t exactly fill and instructional techniques. practical exercises you are given a thorough safety me with joy. Well like most things change has come to So is there a downside to all this technology? The brief with plenty of chance to ask questions. There is Phoenix. We no longer use Horsea fire ground and the main complaint we get is that the fires are not realistic also a degree of classroom work to reinforce your “Smokey Joes” are just bad memories. Phoenix enough- not enough heat, although that is a bit knowledge. The classrooms are equipped with audio- Training Group has moved to a purpose built unit on misleading as temperatures of 350 degrees were visual equipment and an “All Ranks Restroom” is Whale Island. recorded in the units this summer, however it pays to provided. All the courses at Phoenix, with the Between 1999 and 2001 eight hot training units remember that the main aim is to teach you techniques exception of the NBCD5R are Royal Naval run, with (HTUs) were built on the north end of the Island. These not scare you to death – when it happens for real you the majority of students being RN, don’t let that put units have three floors and a number of compartments will feel more confident in the correct actions to take. you off, use it as a chance to see how the other half complete with corridors, ladders and hatches. The units All equipment and clothing is provided with operate – they probably have the same moans and are provided and changing rooms and groans as you will have. operated by a Vosper showers in Phoenix Thornycroft subsidiary, main building. So what is on offer here? Flagship Training Ltd Oh yes, the water is BSSC – Basic Sea Survival Course – Includes under a Private Finance real so you will get wet firefighting, DRIU and sea survival, aimed at new Initiative. The facility but you dry off quickly joiners with limited sea time. is one of the most in the fires!! advanced training Having charred you ISSC – Intermediate Sea Survival Course – As above venues anywhere in the round the edges we but aimed at personnel with more experience – the fires world. All the fires are move on and try to sink are hotter and the floods deeper. propane fuelled and you. controlled from two The DRIU (Damage NBCD35 – The Q course – Covers all the above (Big areas – the main Repair Instructional fires and floods) with a lot of classroom work – computer in the control Unit) is a mock up of a “teaches the trainers”. tower where the basic section of a ship with parameters of an “incident” can be set including the engine rooms, mess decks etc, just like a ship this will NBCD23 – First aid course – classroom and practical. light level, degree of smoke and intensity of fire. Each roll and if there are holes in the hull it will fill with time a fire starts, a safety officer watching over the water. So the aim is for the students to fill the holes Successful completion of the above courses results students has another set of controls that override the before the ship sinks. This is the part of the course at in a MSA approved qualification so they are not just a main computer. The safety officer can turn the fire up Phoenix that seems to produce most enthusiasm, “Navy” course and the techniques taught are the ones if they feel the students are not doing well, or down if especially among the vertically challenged and you will be using on RFAs. The NBCD5R is an RFA they are. If there is a major problem, at the flick of a students often ask to do again. You are going to get wet course although you will find WSA and RNR officers switch, the fire can be extinguished, the smoke but remember the less water inside the unit the drier on it. It is usually run after an ISSC, to bring people up exhausted, and the lights brought up, all within 30 you will come out. to speed with fire fighting etc. It covers Specific RFA seconds. All equipment is provided and during the colder items that are not included in the BSSC and ISSC. Propane is both environmentally friendlier and months students are issued with multifabs. So next time your appointer says “Fancy doing a easier to control without the generation of vast Now we try and “drown you”. BSSC or ISSC?” give it a try – you never know you quantities of smoke, as would be the case with an oil Sea survival, down at Horsea Lake, where the sea might enjoy it and most importantly, you will certainly fire. Eleven generators in each unit, operating on survival staff will get you dressed in once only suits take away a better awareness of safety at sea. vegetable oil, provide realistic non-carcinogenic smoke and give you a choice between a General Service or As Phoenix is a naval establishment we do ask that (and no it doesn’t smell like the local chippy). All MSA approved lifejacket, then its simply a case of you are punctual and turn up well dressed – you are fumes are exhausted through a sophisticated “cleaning” jumping into the lake and swimming to a liferaft! Our after all ambassadors for the RFA.

WAVE RULER FLIES THE FLAG ince departing St Lucia, RFA WAVE RULER has During this visit, Tortola experienced torrential rain damaged appliances and furnishings, disinfecting the Scontinued conducting counter-narcotics patrols all and localised flooding which lead the ship and her crew dwellings and assisting with road clearance to enable over the Caribbean either in company with HMS to be involved in a mini Humanitarian Disaster Relief the local emergency services to conduct a high pressure MANCHESTER or on her own. Operations. Two teams were deployed to provide wash-down of the road. WAVE RULER made a Regional visit to Montserrat assistance and escort residents from the affected areas In the words of Cadet (X) Turner “Although the where VIPS were hosted for a circumnavigation around flood caused devastation, it also brought with it the the island together with a buffet lunch. A ship’s opportunity to demonstrate the ability of the ship’s technical team assisted with the maintenance and repair company to operate outside of their quotidian comfort- of the island’s disaster management communications. zones, and the knowledge that we would be even better Some of the crew took the opportunity to undertake a prepared in the future for such catastrophes.” tour of the abandoned town of Plymouth which is Quite apart from the valuable and much appreciated largely covered in volcanic ash. On leaving Montserrat assistance rendered to the local residents the operation WVRU refuelled MANC and tracked the path of provided a useful roll-out of the ship’s HDRO Hurricane IGOR, undertaking fire fighting training capability and a unique opportunity to demonstrate first before reaching Tortola and the welcome opportunity to nearby disaster shelters and feeding stations. hand to the media the ship’s versatility and utility. of visiting one of the many beaches, and/or the rum Thereafter, efforts were directed towards physically Next stop Curacao to undertake an assistance distillery! clearing dwellings of flood debris, removing flood maintenance period. Gunline - 11 Professional Engineering Accreditation Commodore D Preston RFA - CEng CMarEng CMIOSH FIMarEST MAPM DE&S HEAD OF AFLOAT SUPPORT he RFA Personnel Strategy states, “The RFA will provide access to a Tstructured career for all personnel with a flexible, challenging and competitive system that supports retention. It will aim to develop personnel in a timely manner and equip them with the necessary experience, knowledge and skills required to support the aims and objectives of the organisation”. Capt David Smith wrote these words in 2001 when he co-wrote the RFA Personnel Strategy and in his current appointment as CSO (E) he has been able to implement much of the intent. Working with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and the Engineering Council (EC), David has created a streamlined, RFA specific system that will enable every Marine Engineer, from those who have completed the LET course at HMS SULTAN, to Chief Engineer Officers at sea and ashore, to achieve formal professional recognition for their skills, knowledge and experience. The EC has very strict academic and professional standards of competence that individuals must demonstrate if they are to achieve the standard of accreditation they are seeking. These standards are articulated in an EC sponsored document known as UK Spec. There are three levels: Engineering Technician (Eng Tech), Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Crossword by Chris White Chartered Engineer (CEng). IMarEST are an EC accredited organisation Answers on page 16 and they are able to assist members in their bid for professional recognition. IMarEST also have their own tiered system of membership starting with Affiliate (which represents the lowest level or registration), Associate Membership (equates to Eng Tech), Member (equates to IEng) and Fellow (corresponds to CEng, although it is possible to achieve fellowship without being a Chartered Engineer if the candidate can demonstrate that the level of their work and experience equates to Masters level learning as detailed within UK Spec). David’s first task was to benchmark the IMarEST and EC’s professional and academic standards with those currently available through existing RFA courses, including MCA Certificates of Competency. Working with Chief Officer Russ Farquhar from RFA Training and Mr Ben Saunders from IMarEST, this detailed work conducted over a period of 8 months, resulted in a successful written submission being acknowledged by both IMarEST and the EC in October 2010. This was followed by an evidence gathering visit in November this year by a panel of three Chartered Engineers and academics from IMarEST to West Battery and RFA Largs Bay in order to verify that the RFA delivered training to the required standard as described in the written submission. This was successfully achieved and I am delighted to announce that the RFA is now an Accredited IMarEST Training Provider. As IMarEST now has detailed knowledge of the minimum standard of training that RFA engineering personnel will have at each rank, they have produced guidelines related to the level of accreditation each individual can expect to achieve for a given rank. These guidelines together with details of how to apply for the relevant professional accreditation will be issued in due course by Pers/Ops. A key output of the accreditation process is that RFA Chartered Engineers who have been trained as assessors by IMarEST, will now be able to award the appropriate level of professional recognition to Across Down RFA staff on behalf of the Institute. Keeping the initial part of the processes in-house will result in a more streamlined and cost-effective system. David 1 Architectural partition (4) 1 Firmly constructed (4-4) has also negotiated a preferential rate for subscription fees for RFA 3 Container on top of car (4,4) 2 Intense monochromatic beam (5) personnel. 9 Cut of the skin (7) 4 Become bony (6) It is planned to include Systems Engineers (SEs) in this scheme in the 10 Opus (5) 5 Hard kind of stone (5) future and SE training was included in the current submission. Articulating 11 Russian ballet company (5) 6 Anyone (7) a typical career progression path for SE staff is proving to be more challenging. However, work is on-going to ensure that all RFA Engineers 12 Six feet deep (6) 7 Furnace (4) will eventually benefit from this scheme. David is taking this work forward 14 Breath in (6) 8 Of the same period (6) with Capt Gil Parsley (Head of the SE specialisation), Pers/Ops and 16 Place things in order (4,2) 13 Range of colours representing light (8) IMarEST to derive a suitable accredited system. The Institute of Electrical 19 A full supply (6) 15 Used to express surprise (4,3) Engineers will also be involved in this future work. It is now perfectly 21 Words of a song (5) 17 A relative by marriage (2-4) feasible for an individual to join the RFA at Motorman 2 level and go all the 24 Remove cover (5) 18 Boa (6) way through to Chartered Engineer through training and assessment provided by the RFA. 25 On the other hand (7) 20 Joe Lyons tea shop waitress (5) The system is due to go live early in the New Year and further details will 26 Lowly gin (Ang) (3-5) 22 The Thames for example (5) be promulgated in January 2011. 27 Starch resembling sago (4) 23 Chew over (4) 12 - Gunline RFA ASSOCIATION

Chairman's Dit.

Alan Roach, Dave Bolton, John the RFA National Memorial at Alrewas. The company that organises it on our behalf and Caruana and I participated in the committee has put forward a couple of designs things are looking up. No predictions this time Remembrance Day Ceremony in Whitehall and costing for those designs and things are but I am quite confident that the albatross will CONTACT naturally an RFAAssociation wreath was laid at looking quite positive now. As developments be consigned to Davy Jones before too long. INFORMATION the Cenotaph. Other members were there in progress expect to see more in future editions of My thank you's and appreciation goes to all other groups. I was delighted to see Jim Wyatt, Gunline and of course both the RFAA and RFA contributors, new and old, who have provided RFA ASSOCIATION articles to our pages in Gunline over the last Headquarters London Branch Chairman and George Walton. websites. 01434 220000 With rain threatening for most of the morning As Mike Ashley wrote in his piece in this year. A couple of the contributions did not make E-mail: we marched under increasingly leaden skies. edition of Gunline the RFAA did not know it due to lack of space but they remain on the [email protected] Our luck ran out as we re-mustered on about the Scottish Merchant Navy Memorial in back burner for future inclusion. As ever, if you CHAIRMAN Horseguards Parade prior to dispersing. It is Edinburgh until just before it's consecration. An have a tale to tell that would not scandalise your Pat Thompson quite an experience...you should try it one day. email just a few weeks before invited us to grannie, or anybody else's grannie for that 01833 640045 matter, grab the Basildon Bond and a quill 07879 254168 My thanks to Richard Fernley of the London participate and the S&N Branch swung into Skype Captain.Pat Branch for co-ordinating the event. action with a team representing us all there. Our (there will be loads going begging on your E-mail: Concurrent with the ceremony at Whitehall National Standard was also paraded turkey...he won't need them anymore) and drop [email protected] there is another service of remembrance held As we move inexorably to the end of 2010 me a line. And finally, it cannot have escaped ADMIN and the Merchant Navy War Memorial Tower the 2011 Reunion in Nottingham on Saturday 01434 220000 Hill organised by the Honourable Company of 14th May is starting to move into the forefront everybody's notice that Christmas is almost E-mail: [email protected] Master Mariners. The Association was of planning. Full details will be available in the upon us again. On behalf of all (well Dawn and I) at RFAA HQ in Bellingham and all the MEMBERSHIP represented there by Mike Day who laid a new year so watch this space. Dawn Reay wreath on our behalf, see his report on these Why do I always make some comment Trustees of the Association I wish all retired and 01434 220000 pages. about the Ancient Mariner and the albatross still serving RFAs and their families a very 07522 551628 happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy E-mail:[email protected] You will have seen the article by Frank around his neck when the Members Handbook Andrews on the progress being made towards is mentioned? I have been in contact with the New Year. TREASURER Vacant The Remembrance Day Service at the Merchant Navy A Christmas Carol. Once at an RNAD Jetty laid a lonely RFA Memorial, Tower Hill It was hot and it was humid it was surely Christmas Day. SECRETARY & FINANCIAL Sunday 14th November 2010. – A Personal Observation. SECRETARY To the dark depths of the crankcase rang Under consideration From earliest times I have always watched also new to the event. There were some gaps the Chief's voice loud and clear the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph but these were closed up, and we proceeded to Pack up lads pack up its smoko I will buy on television, coming from a family with a high the gardens, having been organised in an air of a case of beer PLYMOUTH BRANCH proportion of close relatives who served in the calm and decorum. Hark the working party cried Santa Claus John Halford 01752 776663 armed services. This year I had intended to be A band played of to the left, and a full naval has passed us by. E-mail: with the RFAA contingent at the Cenotaph for guard paraded in front of us above the Gallery. Anon....whoever he was. [email protected] the first time. Captain Graham Pepper, the Honourable Captain Pat rang me to say the RFAA had Company of Master Mariners, was centre stage Lewis Clarke wins the SOLENT BRANCH been asked to provide wreath layer at the with Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert of Sir Galahad Trophy for Good Brian Waters 01722 320562 service at the MN memorial at Tower Hill; Citizenship E-mail : would I like to do it? This was taking [email protected] "observing" to "participating" to another lever in rapid order and I said yes instinctively. LONDON BRANCH Lt Cdr James Wyatt The wreath arrived at work, well packed in David Bolton (Acting) a box. I had a look at it and thought it was a 01908 378360 remarkably beautiful object with the RFAA E-mail: [email protected] crest in the centre, silk-like poppies and a prepared label where a message could be SCOTTISH & NEWCASTLE BRANCH written in weatherproof covering. John Roddis I arrived in the vicinity of Tower Hill well 01786 821379 ahead of schedule and had to opportunity to Trinity House (who had come across for a brief E-mail: circumnavigate the familiar gardens and Trinity chat in the foyer beforehand) was stage left. [email protected] House. I had placed the wreath in a plain Another anonymous Admiral was stage right, in MIDLANDS BRANCH carrier bag thinking it would be easier and charge of the guard and parade timing. John Sail greener to remove the cover before parading We observed the silence, timed by the 01476 594034 and slip it in my overcoat pocket. I should have church clock of All-Hallows-by-the-Tower, [email protected] realised the preparedness of these organisations, where Samuel Pepys watched the Great Fire of NORTHWEST as I went into the foyer of Trinity House as London. A naval bugler played the Last Post at Frank Andrews participants gathered, there was a long table to the beginning and the Carry On at the end. 11 year old Lewis Clarke 01722 685427 the left where helpers were "de-boxing" the The wreaths were laid and the traditional of Worksop Priory C. of E. Primary School E-mail: [email protected] wreaths from the time-served participants and hymns sung on the cold morning with the fine Nottinghamshire, receiving the Office Address: putting them out of the way for them. It brought drizzle holding off to a greater extant. There Sir Galahad Trophy for Good Citizenship 3-4 Station House a sense of "How I love the service way of doing was no disruption to the sense of emotion and from its sponsor, Bellingham things, thoughtful and caring based on previous respect in the ceremony of Remembrance to all RFAA Trustee Mrs Pamela Axworthy. Hexham NE48 2DG experience, and of course efficient". those individual acts of heroism and sacrifice Mailing Address I spoke to John Sail of the MNA, and some by mariners on our behalf. It was a great OBITUARIES PO Box 52 people from the Maritime Volunteer Service, privilege to be able to participate in the simple Barnard Castle DL12 2BA apparently successors to the RNXS. service. Since the last edition of Gunline the We were briefed outside by the Parade After we received the blessing and the naval following members and ex-RFA non Web Sites: Marshalls as we mustered in the numerical guard had marched off, we the participants members have sadly "Crossed the Bar" www.rfa-association.org order of the wreath-laying order. There had moved out of the garden, some to a reception at Captain David Thompson on 17 Sept Plymouth Branch been a clear "opord" emailed to us a week Trinity House, others like me to continue their 2010 aged 78 www.rfaaplymouth.org before, together with a plan of the garden and Sunday routine with a sense of well-being and SEO David Ellis on 2 November 2010 our disposition there. I was between the lady gratitude to being part of a great maritime aged 79 Solent Branch www. from The Watch Ashore who had been doing it family. Surgeon Griffith Roberts 22 November freewebs.com/rfaasolentbranch/ for 29 years and a Captain from BP who was Mike Day aged 96 Gunline - 13 FOR SERVICE, SEAFARERS AND FAMILIES REG CHARITY NO. 1093950. PATRON: HRH THE EARL OF WESSEX, KG KCVO ADC REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND No. SC039054

RFAA attend unveiling of Scottish Memorial to the RFA Association Merchant Navy Team help to Late in November this year John Roddis The Standard bearers mustered to the advised us that he had been approached to raise riverside of the Memorial which was flanked a party to represent the RFAA at the unveiling by two Royal Marine buglers and circled by the create RFA of a Scottish Memorial to the "all-too-often Leith Wards of the Society of High Constables forgotten heroes" of the Merchant Navy of Edinburgh. Memorial personnel lost in times of conflict (some 30,000 HRH Princess Anne came into the square of the 185,000 who served in the merchant with the Chairman of the Trust Mr William marine during the Second World War did not Thomson and after brief speeches unveiled the For some while now both the RFA and make it home). Memorial. This was followed by a one minutes the RFA Association have been keen to place a distinctive RFA memorial somewhere within the Naval section of the National Memorial at Alrewas. A team has been established that includes myself, Captain John Sail, Captain Robin Lock and Rob Langford (artist and adviser). We have produced 4 possible designs and luckily have a clear and outright first choice. The artist's impression of this is below and shows a 1200mm tall bow carved out of a single 3 tonne block of granite with a curved seat behind in the same rock. This sits on a "compass" base made out of blue grey quartz stone paving giving the impression of a bow So at 0930hrs on the morning of Tuesday silence then the Standards were dipped as the wave. The RFA crest, RFA flag and other RFA 16th November our band of brothers mustered Marine buglers played the "Last Post" and details will be engraved into both bow and seat at South Leith Parish Church, the weather "Revelle". maintaining the mood in the expected Scottish The guests then left and after being late autumnal way, cold and "dreek". dismissed by GSM White we repaired to the Early starts had been the order of the day The Parade was mustered under the expert South Leith Parish Church hall for very with Brian Taylor venturing north of the border eye of Garrison Sergeant Major White of the welcome soup, sandwiches and tea/coffee. with the standard, Bill Wingate crossing from Scots Guards headed by the Pipe Band of Scotland now has, 65 years after the end of the west, myself bridging the Forth from the George Watsons College, next came the WWII, a national memorial to those lost in the Kingdom of Fife and Dave Cameron getting the Standard bearers then the contingents MN during that and other conflicts. The bus down from deepest darkest Edinburgh. (Corporation of Trinity House Leith Cadets Memorial, which is the work of Scottish The church was full for the occasion and a (City of Glasgow College), two MN sculptor Jill Watson, is very well thought out multi-denominational dedication service was Association Branches, the Russian Arctic from the MN Crown at the top, through various held on the arrival of HRH The Princess Royal Convoy Club Scotland, the RFA Association, panels down the sides depicting various facets (Patron of the Merchant Navy Memorial Trust units from the RN & RNR, Army, RAF, Sea of marine related items (torpedoes ship, camel The National Memorial Arboretum is (Scotland) and other Guests of Honour. Cadets, Sea Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Royal with palm tree for the Suez Canal, etc.) to the home to the striking Armed Forces Memorial The service consisted of appropriately British Legion and the RNLI). panel with an empty lifebuoy evoking the loss which commemorates those who have been themed maritime hymns, prayers and two The RFAA party duly fell in behind the of life at sea at the bottom. killed on duty or as a result of terrorism from poems, "For all Seafarers" and "Epilogue" by venerable group from the Russian Arctic Photos are courtesy of your very own the end of the Second World War to the current John Masefield. Professor Gordon Milne then Convoy Club of Scotland (theses hardly old answer to the Scottish paparazzi, Hilda conflict in Afghanistan. They receive around explained where and when (the Remembrance boys having just got back from parading past Johnston (and her friend). 300,000 visitors per year, including Service Sunday Parade in London 2008) he had had the the Cenotaph in London on Sunday), the skirl The event was very well organised but had personnel, veterans, students of all ages, groups idea of raising a "Scottish" Memorial to of the pipes alerted us to the off and as the not been well publicised, the first we had heard and individuals and there are over 200 special Merchant Navy Seafarers lost in all conflicts command of the Parade Commander brought us of it being from Captain Roddis at the October events held each year. The Act of and in peacetime, how he had had great support all to attention we marched away to the meeting. Apparently there had been a full page Remembrance, including a Silence, is observed in his quest, had managed to raise the necessary Memorial. The Convoy Club "boys" bravely on it in The Herald some time previously, much daily in the Millennium Chapel. funds (to date £180,000) in an astonishingly strode off but the strain of their advanced years of it on the sculptor, but disappointingly little We have so far raised over £5,000 but short time, get it built and established in pride and previous exertions in London began to tell else in the media and, apart from a small have a long way to go to reach our target. It is of place, fittingly in the small square outside and unfortunately the pipe band had to be paragraph in the same paper, a photo and very hoped to begin work in 2011 and that our the old Seaman's Mission in Leith. halted by GSM White to allow them to close up small report in the Scotsman and a piece in patron, HRH The Earl of Wessex will be able to With the closing of the service HRH the gap with the groups in front (best convoy Lloyds list . dedicate the memorial in 2012. Princess Anne departed to visit "Trinity practice!!) nonetheless adequate time had been Mike Ashworth House", Edinburgh before moving down to allotted for the journey and we arrived at the Frank Andrews RFA Association Trustee Leith for the unveiling ceremony. Memorial good time.

John Roddis – Liveryman of the Honourable Scottish & Newcastle Company of Master Branch Lunch Mariners At a ceremony before the Master and Court of Assistants in HQS Wellington on 5th Twenty-eight members enjoyed a superb November, Scottish and Newcastle Branch contribution to merchant shipping, its Chairman, John Roddis is privileged to have pre-Christmas lunch at the Jedforest Hotel in personnel or affairs. been robed as a Liveryman of the Honourable the Borders on Sunday 21st November. Half The Scottish and Newcastle branch meet Company of Master Mariners. His Sponsor was Captain Malcolm Parrott, Immediate Past way between Edinburgh and Newcastle, by for lunchtime events three or four times a Master of the Honourable Company and former popular vote this is our fifth visit in as many year and are well supported by the RFA Officer. years and we were royally entertained by the John is also the Honourable Company's membership. Arrangements are being made Liaison Officer for their two adopted RFA's proprietors Robert and Audrey. for our next event to be held at the Riverdale Cardigan Bay and Largs Bay. In addition to A special toast for a long and happy life Hall Hotel at Bellingham - another popular greater responsibility towards the Honourable Company he could have run a market stall in together was given to George and Lynne venue for our members - near Easter. Details the City, free of charge, drive farm animals Mason on their recent marriage and to Rex will be posted in due course. through the City and over London Bridge, Cooper on being awarded the Merchant likewise and in an extreme case be hung with a silken rope! Mercifully, especially in the latter Navy Medal. This is an award made annually John Roddis, case, these privileges were withdrawn long to seafarers who have made a significant Chairman of the Scottish & Newcastle ago! 14 - Gunline The Marine Society & Sea Cadets The Marine Society: supporting seafarers is its strength he Marine Society provides a range of tailored the shortest possible time. There is full support via email OU Business & Leadership Degree Tservices exclusively to seafarers to enhance and telephone, and all staff are familiar with your The Open University BA/BSc Open Degree was created learning and well being, and to facilitate professional commitments with the RFA. with seafarers in mind. It focuses on Business, development. The Marine Society can also enter you for Leadership & Management, and is proving especially No organisation has more experience of delivering examinations, routinely arranging for them to be sat popular. learning at sea, or of placing the well-being of seafarers wherever the candidate finds himself at the time, The programme has pre-selected, recommended first. It has encouraged, enabled and educated many whether ashore or afloat. strands that are seafarer-friendly and tailored to the generations of RFA personnel and is a recommended Those thinking about continuing their learning are needs of the maritime sector. first point of contact for all matters relating to personal encouraged to contact the Marine Society before The degree has been mapped for credit transfer and professional development. enrolling to discuss options. Advice is free, independent against a seafarers’ HND in Nautical Science or Marine The Society works with a range of mainstream and confidential. Engineering and attracts 120 points at Level 1 and a education and training providers to deliver opportunities For those returning to learning after a period away, further 60 at Level 2. This leaves only a 60 point course for personal and professional development that are there are courses in functional skills designed to brush at Level 2 and two 30 point courses at Level 3 to get the seafarer-friendly and focused on the needs of the up on the basics. These are ideal for those seeking degree. This makes the qualification achievable within individual in the context of the maritime sector. promotion and who require a grounding in modern two years and is far more affordable than would Whether you simply wish to improve those GCSE maths as part of their knowledge base. otherwise be the case. And because it comes from the grades from school or whether you’re a senior officer OU, the degree can be achieved either at sea or ashore. seeking civilian recognized qualifications in preparation Course Sponsorship Packages This is a distance taught programme, with the Marine for coming ashore, The Marine Society will have In September the Marine Society changed the way it Society offering underpinning support as necessary. something to offer. assists seafarers who wish to pursue courses with The Students who complete this degree will gain a good Open University and its bespoke programmes in understanding of business, leadership and management Trainee Officer Prize conjunction with the Institute of Work Based Learning and their impact on organisations, including wider 3/0 Natalie Robson RFA, a student at Warsash Maritime at Middlesex University. considerations in the external environment. Academy, has won the prestigious Marine Society Prize Instead of referring prospective learners onto the They will learn a range of analytical and problem- for the best National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) organisation (after giving them appropriate advice), it solving skills including management functions such as Level 3 Portfolio in Merchant Vessel Operations now offers to sponsor them. This means the seafarer marketing, human resources and finance, and leading submitted at her college in the academic year 2009/10. pays course fees directly to the Marine Society and staff and influencing change. Plus gain relevant and practical The Marine Society there sort all the paperwork and interface with the skills in communication, IT, numerical interpretation, has been awarding organisation on the seafarers’ behalf. collaborative working and reflective thinking. prizes to young officers That arrangement can continue for the duration of the to encourage excellence seafarers’ studies, thereby allowing him/her to focus on Online Bookshop for many years. Natalie, the studies rather than be burdened with the programme The Marine Society is a leading supplier of books to 23, received her award provider’s bureaucracy. individual seafarers and corporate interests throughout at the Society’s Annual This added value service offers great value and is the maritime sector. It has a depth of professional Court held at HMS considerably more convenient for the seafarer. This is knowledge in this specialised book market and enjoys President, London, in because the fee quoted by the Marine Society includes a close links to key trade suppliers such as the October. reduction on the fees publicly quoted by the provider. International Maritime Organization, the Nautical ‘I feel honoured to The difference represents the element the Marine Institute and Lloyds Register-Fairplay. have won and am proud Society contributes as a subsidy. It can supply books and other multimedia materials that the hard work that This arrangement allows staff at the Marine Society such as e-books and CD-Roms quickly and at went into my studies has to more effectively intercede on the seafarer’s behalf in competitive rates with any profits re-invested in been recognised.’ said the event of a problem with submitting assignments or activities that support seafarers. Natalie at her presentation. undertaking assessments. It also allows improved To bag yourself a bargain and at the same time help Before an audience of 250 representatives from all progress monitoring and so staff can step in if at any seafarers, visit www.msbookshop.org quarters of the maritime sector, she was presented with time assistance is required. Of course, the Marine The Marine Society has launched its new website. a cheque for £400 and a certificate of merit by the Society will supply any books if requested. In the event Visit www.marine-society.org to find out more or email Society’s guest speaker Paul Boissier, Chief Executive a course has elements requiring sustained access to the [email protected] to request a free information pack. of the RNLI. internet, it can also provide DVD workarounds as required. GCSE/A Level The Marine Society’s Brian Thomas told Gunline: A reminder to all who seek self-improvement at GCSE ‘Feedback received from seafarer beneficiaries rate this and A Level that the Marine Society provides first class new added value service highly. It’s taking to the next tutor-supported study programmes. The Society will level what we do best: supporting seafarers and help you achieve the best possible examination result in incentivising them to self-improvement.’

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202 Lambeth Road Telephone 020 7654 7050 A charity registered in England and Wales London SE1 7JW Email [email protected] 313013 and in Scotland SC037808 Gunline - 15 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY – RFA MEMORIAL - MARCHWOOD

n Sunday 14th November 2010 members of the OBE RFA (Rtd), on behalf of the ORoyal Fleet Auxiliary, led by Captain Duncan RFA Association, (Solent Branch). Lamb RFA, representing the Commodore, remembered Following the air attack at Fitzroy, our casualties of war, at a ceremony at the RFA on 8 June 1982, the severely Memorial at Marchwood, near Southampton. damaged RFA SIR GALAHAD was The Marchwood RFA Memorial is to those crew eventually towed out to sea and sunk members lost in the Falklands Conflict when the two as a war grave. RFA SIR TRISTRAM landing ships, RFA SIR GALAHAD and RFA SIR was brought back to UK on a heavy TRISTRAM, were bombed at Fitzroy Cove. Following lift ship, to be extensively re-built. A

the main Remembrance Day Service in the St John the new RFA SIR GALAHAD was built Apostle Church (the Marchwood Parish Church), a to replace the lost vessel. Both ships ceremony was held at the RFA Memorial, where have since been taken out of service prayers were said, and wreaths laid by Captain Duncan and replaced by Bay Class LSD(A)s. Lamb RFA, Captain Toni Gray the Adjutant of 17 Port The Service was conducted by the Reverend Roger Edwards, and as on previous Remembrance Sunday’s the church was packed. There was a large contingent from 17 Port Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps and a strong contingent from RFA LARGS BAY, commanded by Captain Dave Buck RFA. Cadet(E) Michael Hontoir, Pictured facing the RFA Memorial: Captain Duncan Cadet(E) Rory Clarke and Cadet(E) Jonathan Connor Lamb RFA, Captain Toni Gray 17 Port Maritime Regiment and the Reverend Roger Edwards, with were the wreath bearers. wreath bearers and the contingent from RFA On completion of the Service, guests where invited LARGS BAY in the background. Maritime Regiment, Mr Fred White, the Chairman of to RFA LARGS BAY, in Marchwood Military Port, for Marchwood Parish Council, Captain Phil Roberts DSO a buffet lunch, which was much appreciated by all who RFA (Rtd), Commanding Officer of RFA SIR attended. GALAHAD during the Falklands War, on behalf of the Sir Galahad Association, and Captain Brian Waters First Officer Chris Jordan MBE

ELIZABETH CROSS CITATION - THIRD OFFICER ANDREW JOHN MORRIS ndrew John Morris was a respected Army ashore. It was at such times that massive fireball that swept through the comrades who were lost that day. He Aengineering officer with a bright Andy’s keen sense of humour, positive tank deck where the Welsh Guards were served in the finest traditions of the career ahead of him in the Royal Fleet approach to life and pragmatic attitude waiting to disembark. The second bomb Royal Fleet Auxiliary and his memory Auxiliary. Having served on a number of both supported and strengthened his exploded in the galley area and the third lives on in those who knew and loved RFAs he was appointed to RFA SIR fellow officers. bomb burst in the engine room, killing him. GALAHAD in April 1981, before she On 8th June 1982, at the height of the Andy. This attack resulted in the single On 1st July 2009, the Secretary of sailed for the South Atlantic with the Falklands Conflict, RFA SIR largest British loss of life of the State for Defence announced details of Amphibious Task Force in April 1982. GALAHAD, along with RFA SIR Campaign. In total, 48 personnel were the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll Known to his ship mates as Andy, he TRISTRAM, was at anchor in Port killed: 32 Welsh Guards, 5 members of which was to be granted on behalf of the served with distinction throughout the Pleasant, about a mile from Fitzroy, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 4 from the Nation to the next of kin of members of landings at San Carlos and endured preparing to disembark elements of the Army Catering Corps, 3 from the Royal the British armed forces who died whilst numerous air attacks whilst the ship was Welsh guards. At around 1715Z, 5 Army Medical Corps, 2 from 36 deployed on operations in recognition of in “bomb alley”. On one occasion the Skyhawk jets of the Argentinean Air Engineer Regiment and 2 from the their tragic loss. Accordingly, on behalf ship received a direct hit from a 1000lb Force commenced an attack on the 2 Royal Electrical and Mechanical of the Secretary of State for Defence, Dr. bomb which failed to detonate but did vessels at anchor. Two of the jets Engineers. Under the circumstances that Nicola Brewer, the British High cause the evacuation of the ship. Andy attacked SIR TRISTRAM, which was hit prevailed at that time of the Conflict, it Commissioner to South Africa presented was a member of the engineering team by 2 bombs, and the remaining 3 aircraft was not possible to recover the bodies of the Elizabeth Cross and a Memorial that repaired the damage and restored attacked SIR GALAHAD, causing those who died, and, on 25th June 1982, Scroll to Andrew’s sister, Mrs Diana essential services which ensured that SIR severe loss of life. SIR GALAHAD was SIR GALAHAD was towed out to sea Hutton-Squire, granted in recognition of GALAHAD continued to deliver vital hit by 3 bombs; the first went through an and scuttled as a war grave. Andrew the family’s loss and sacrifice from a support to the Royal Marines and the open hatch and exploded, causing a Morris lies with his ship and with his grateful nation. 16 - Gunline THE HONOURABLE COMPANY OF MASTER MARINERS VISIT BY THIRD OFFICER (X) PAUL STUBLEY

uring a recent Assisted Maint- Master present. of the RFA units deployed on operations LARGS had overwhelmed some of the Denance Period Largs Bay had the On arrival our guests were offered tea as well as those at home in a state of visitors, many of whom navigated the pleasure of hosting a number of former and coffee after which a presentation high readiness for contingent operations. tremendous amount of stairs with ease! Captains from the Honourable Company was delivered demonstrating the ship’s This gave the guests the opportunity to Following the tour our guests were of Master Mariners (HCMM) as part of capabilities, including involvement in understand the utility of the LSDA in invited to lunch in the saloon. their recently formed affiliation with Exercise AURIGA along the Eastern roles such as Iraqi Navy training, MCM The visit fully met its objectives, and Largs Bay. The HCMM are a Livery Coast of the United States. Particular support, APT(S) deployments, speeches by both the Captain Buck and Company of the City of London founded interest was shown in the operations Operation ZEST in Tristan da Cunha, the HCMM stressed the need to further in 1926 and incorporated by Royal undertaken by Largs Bay during the and counter-drug operations in the develop the affiliation with the Charter in 1930. The key roles of the Haiti earthquake disaster and the Caribbean. Honourable Company and in doing so HCMM are to encourage and maintain a humanitarian aid that was delivered Following the presentation the guests help to promote the image, identity and high and honourable were taken on a tour of the ethos of the RFA Service. The HCMM standard of ability and vessel escorted by Captain thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the professional conduct in the Buck and Chief Officer vessel and were particularly grateful for officers of the British Devlin. This tour also gave the the hospitality extended to them by all Merchant Navy as well as guests an opportunity to meet onboard, wishing us fair winds and calm to promote friendly the crew and gain a clearer seas as they departed. cooperation between the picture of life onboard. Of Royal Navy and Merchant course as former Captain’s, Further details on the HMCC can be Navy. They also provide a particular interest was paid to found at their website - service offering advice and the Bridge and the Integrated www.hcmm.org.uk consultation on issues Bridge System in place on the regarding the Merchant LSDA. Following a Pictured are L-R: Navy on judicial, presentation given by 3/O Capt Brian Waters RFA Rtd commercial, scientific, educational and during that deployment. Hodgson the audience were keen to find Captain Michael Else technical matters. Our esteemed This brief then stimulated discussion out the Bridge team’s views on the Mr Derek King audience included both serving and regarding the evolution of the RFA from systems which allowed for a good Captain Ian Sparham retired members from a wide and its inception into a fully integrated force exchange of outlooks and the Commander Peter Tambling RN diverse mix of the marine industry. delivering Maritime Operational compulsory dit about how things used to Captain Greg Spencer (ex RFA Ch Off) There were also some ex-RFA members Support for the Naval Service and Joint be done. The tour concluded with a visit Captain Neale Rodrigues including Captain Brian Waters RFA Rtd operations. Recent initiatives such as to the MCR and the vehicle deck to Captain Malcolm Parrott (Immediate and Captain Malcolm Parrott who left Sponsored Reserve and Assured observe the dock and Largs Bay’s cargo Past Master) the service in 1976 as a 1/O (CTO) and Delivery were of particular interest. The capabilities. It was apparent that the size Captain Terry Jewell is currently HCMM Immediate Past guests were briefed on the role of each and scale of the operational capability of Commander Rodney Preece RN

FAREWELL FROM CPO STWD GORDON HAINES MANY THANKS FROM fter heading off to my retirement in since 1966, 14 years with an all Maltese ASeptember, I would like to take this crew and the subsequent 30 years BOB SETTLE opportunity to say ‘Goodbye and thank around the UK. My family history in the you’ to all the friends I have made over RFA stretches back to my father who n September 19th I retired from Franny Childs. my 44 years service with the RFA. served during the 1940’s and his father the Royal Fleet Auxiliary A special mention must go to the O Over the years I have been privileged before him who joined the in the 1930’s. Service having served 44 years and 7 Officers’ Mess President, Chief to visit some fascinating and beautiful Both called Fred. In between, my days - don’t forget the 7 days. Officer Mike New for arranging it all places around the world, my particular uncles, Ronnie, Walter and Arthur have Through Gunline I would like to and more importantly arriving in the favourites being the Galapagos Islands all done there bit for Queen and country thank everybody who contributed to ship, so that I could go home! and the Virgin Islands. I also had the and the RFA. So now after 80 years of the incredibly generous collection I will miss the many personal and opportunity of spending seven of my cumulative service there will no longer towards my farewell gift. professional relationships that I have younger years stationed in Singapore, be a ‘Hains’ from my family in the RFA. Captain Ray Bennett, the officers, developed in my time in the service. these were very ‘’interesting’’ times in I however feel confident that I am petty officers and ratings of RFA I wish you all, seafarers and shore the good old days, which any “oldies” leaving the RFA at the right time. Black Rover made my last voyage so staff, uniformed and non-uniformed left in the RFA will appreciate what I Over the years I have seen many enjoyable and pleasant that for all the very best for the future as you mean!!! changes in the RFA, some changes a short moment I considered meet and deal with the challenges I have been blessed with making which made working for the RFA a little postponing my retirement, but it was that the future has in store for you all. some very good friends who I hope to less fun, a little more regimented and only a fleeting thought and now a I must emphasize that I will stay in touch with in the coming years. recently, the foreign trips few and far distant memory. forever be grateful to the service for There have also been a few individuals between. The South Atlantic is pretty having given me opportunities, who are beyond explanation, characters So, as I look forward to a life of sparse with regards to opportunities accomplishments and memories over that I’m sure current RFA crew will leisure, I wish all I have met good luck for fine dining ashore so I was both the years which I will cherish. identify with!!! for the future and it will be a great relief surprised and pleased when I was But I cannot finish without noting It is sad to reflect on years gone at never having to do a FOST or OST dined in, on board alongside that the most important opportunity passed having served in the service again!!! ECMP. The food was magnificent, the service ever gave me was that of the service impeccable and of meeting my then future wife Pauline Crossword Answers: course the company outstanding. My when I was serving in RFA Sir Across: 1 Wall, 3 Roof rack, 9 Lesions, 10 Idyll, 11 Kirov, 12 Fathom, 14 Inhale, thanks to the LSO, Tim Hill and Geraint in 1977. Together we intend 16 Tidy up, 19 Plenty, 21 Lyric, 24 Uncap, 25 However, 26 Low-lying, 27 Arum. his team especially Chief Cook to enjoy our retirement. Down: 1 Well-knit, 2 Laser, 4 Ossify, 5 Flint, 6 Anybody, 7 Kiln, 8 Coeval, 13 Spectrum, 15 Holy cow, 17 In-laws, 18 Python, 20 Nippy, 22 River, 23 Mull.

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