Royal Fleet Auxiliary Livery Day 2016 took place Thursday 2 June in Portsmouth at HMS Excellent and on board RFA Wave Knight.
The aim of the annual Livery Day event is to highlight the work done and successes gained by the RFA over the past 12 months, whilst also raising awareness and the profile of the RFA Service, RN and the wider MoD.
This year’s event was hosted by RFA Head of Service, Commodore Duncan Lamb RFA (COMRFA) and attended by invited guests from the RFA’s Affiliated Honourable and Worshipful Companies.
Guests in attendance included representatives from the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and Worshipful Companies of Carmen, Cooks, Fuellers and affiliated organisations.
Guests in attendance included representatives from the Honourable Company of Master Mariners and Worshipful Companies of Carmen, Cooks, Fuellers and affiliated organisations.
The function commenced with a tour of Phoenix Training School, HMS Excellent, to witness where RFA and RN personnel are trained in firefighting and damage control techniques.
Both of which are very important aspects of naval training for seagoing personnel.
On completion John Bainbridge, past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers, said “It is evident from this morning’s tour that training in damage control and firefighting techniques are a high priority and being maintained to the very highest standards within the Naval Service.”
Following these demonstrations, guests then convened to HMS Excellent Officers’ Wardroom for a buffet lunch and light refreshments where they were welcomed by COMRFA and his hosts.
After lunch guests and hosts were transported the short distance to RFA Wave Knight berthed at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, where they were welcomed on board by Commanding Officer, Captain Peter Selby RFA.
On arrival on board Wave Knight, there followed briefings and presentations on the RFA contribution to global afloat support from Captain’s Kevin Rimell and Sam Shattock RFA.
After a tour of Wave Knight followed by light refreshments, Commodore Lamb thanked the gathered audience for their attendance.
He commented “Thank you all very much for attending today.
“Livery Day is one of the highlights of the RFA calendar and a tremendous opportunity to renew old acquaintances and introduce those not familiar with the RFA to our role within the Naval Service.
“We now look forward to meeting again in 2017.”
