Cammell Laird’s defence division has welcomed five Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels simultaneously to its facility for vital maintenance work.
In the first five months of 2024, Cammell Laird has welcomed RFA Tideforce, RFA Tiderace, RFA Fort Victoria, RFA Proteus and RFA Stirling Castle.
Cammell Laird has provided in service support to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary under the Cluster support Contract since 2008. The team has supported vessels from the RFA Fort-Class, Wave-Class and Tide-Class. In 2023, RFA Proteus and RFA Stirling Castle were also added to the cluster.
Today the APCL Group maintains 100% of the RFA flotilla, with APCL company A&P Falmouth supporting RFA Lyme Bay, RFA Mounts Bay, RFA Cardigan Bay, RFA Argus together with HMS Scott.
RFA Tideforce is currently in drydock undergoing a full underwater blast and paint programme as well as her five year hull survey, main engines service and main generator overhauls. The vessel’s port CPP hub is also being removed for overhaul in the facility’s workshops. RFA Tiderace is undergoing maintenance under Cammell Laird’s care and protection base.
RFA Fort Victoria is undergoing the overhaul of her starboard main engine as well as the removal of her RAS equipment for overhaul at Kongsberg Marine.
RFA Proteus arrived earlier in the year for a complete overhaul of her propulsion systems and main engine. Cammell Laird also completed an extensive service and overhaul of the vessel’s deck crane, as well as completing her five-year DNV survey. RFA Proteus’ hull was also repainted – completed by APCL company Neway.
Stirling Castle, the latest addition to Cammell Laird’s cluster, is undergoing a 19-day maintenance period.
Cammell Laird is proud of the role it has played in supporting the RFA fleet.
Mike Hill, Managing Director, Cammell Laird Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd, said: “During the last 16 years, Cammell Laird has established a strong relationship with the RFA, supporting their flotilla.
“Our dedicated Cluster Support Team (CST), based on the River Mersey, has utilised our extensive knowledge and expertise to simultaneously complete each of the five vessel’s specific work scope.
“I am proud that the APCL Group are providing round-the-clock support to 100 per cent of the RFA flotilla, whilst at home and abroad, ensuring the optimum availability to the whole operational fleet.”
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