RFA Captain Takes The Helm For The Last Time
Manama Bahrain: Captain Nigel Jones, the Commanding Officer of RFA Cardigan Bay took the helm yesterday for the final time as he sailed his ship into Bahrain after a career encompassing 41 years in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Coincidently this final appointment was onboard a vessel named after the area from which he originated – Cardigan in Wales.
Commodore Tim Lowe the Deputy Commander Combined Maritime Forces and UK Maritime Component Commander joined Captain Jones on the bridge for the last few miles of his final voyage.
Nigel joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service in 1969 as a Deck Officer Cadet serving as Cadet and Junior Officer on various ships primarily on the Beira and Far East Stations. During his career he has spent time on a cross section of RFA vessels - deployed world-wide in all theatres - building on experience in all replenishment platforms and managerial techniques
Captain Nigel Jones, on disembarking Cardigan Bay for the last time, said: “1969 to 2010 with one organisation inevitably leads to many passing acquaintances and 'Board of Trade friends'. During these 40 odd years I have experienced numerous highs and lows whilst serving in all of the worlds theatres. Lows generally have been associated with the inanimate, whilst the highs have always been driven by people, the time, and the place,”
“The RFA is an organisation full of wonderful people with vastly different endearing characters and natures who for so many years have entertained me and kept a smile on my face. Without this wonderfully loyal band of people the RFA would not be what it is today and I would not be leaving with such fond memories.”
Nigel was promoted to Chief Officer in 1986 which brought the opportunity to undertake various staff appointments as well as the normal Executive Officer positions at sea. The last Staff appointment in this rank was ‘Staff RFA Officer to Flag Officer Sea Training’ in Portland.
Promoted to Captain in 1995, Nigel has commanded all classes of RFA vessel. As a special project in 1996 he procured the first Strategic Ship RFA Sea Crusader. Further time in command preceded appointment as Chief Staff Officer (Operations and Warfare) to COMRFA in February 2000 and subsequently as Chief Staff Officer (Maritime) RFA to ACOS(Sust) and Deputy Commodore RFA. Since returning to sea in 2002 he has commanded RFAs Diligence, Brambleleaf, Sir Percival and Sir Bedivere. He joined RFA Cardigan Bay in January 2006 for the final build and fitting out stages prior to taking up command of the ship for sea trials and acceptance from build. He has been in Command of Cardigan Bay for the greater majority of North Arabian Gulf operations since late 2007.
“In the middle seventies and early eighties the RFA's advertising slogan was 'Join the Club', the pictures depicted people enjoying themselves either climbing palm trees or socialising in a local hostelry. That is the vision I wish to carry into my retirement,”
Nigel is married to Susan. His interests which he will pursue more diligently on retirement include canoeing, British Waterways, DIY and motor sport, which will now be possible after years of acceding to the passing whims of his two grown up children.
RFA Cardigan Bay is currently serving in the Arabian Gulf in support of Combined Task Force (Iraqi Maritime) and for the Combined Maritime Forces.