Mounts Bay completes the double as RFA’s ‘ship of the year’

Meet the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s ship of the year…

…which is the same as the RFA’s old ship of the year.

For the second 12 months in succession, RFA Mounts Bay can call herself the best of a very busy flotilla of support ships.

The Fleet Efficiency Flag was hauled down… and a clean one hoisted during a pause in operations in the Caribbean.

It was those operations – chiefly helping out in the wake of hurricanes which barrelled through the region in September which ensured the banner won’t be changing hands in 2018.

Mounts Bay was the first British military vessel to arrive on the scene in British territories in the wake of Hurricane Irma, which caused devastation in a string of Caribbean islands: Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands.

She remained on hand for around a month to deliver materials and aid/provide help ashore.

In addition, the ship has supported the ongoing international fight against drug-running in the region as well as generally flying the flag for UK plc by visiting both British territories and Caribbean nations.

“Winning the ‘ship of the year’ title for the second year running is a great honour for all those who worked so hard to ensure success while deployed on Atlantic Patrol Task North,” said Commanding Officer Captain Stephen Norris RFA.

“It is a true testimony to Mounts Bay’s versatility and the ships company’s commitment to excellence.”

Versatility indeed, for the 2016 title was presented for an entirely different mission: rescuing migrants and trying to stop people trafficking in the Mediterranean.