HRH Duke of Edinburgh tours naval tanker RFA Tidesurge on Merseyside visit

The Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary was invited aboard tanker RFA Tidesurge in Birkenhead to see progress with her revamp, much needed after extensive operations around the UK and in the North Atlantic.

The ship is part way through a substantial refit – a major overhaul conducted every five years to ensure the vessel is both maintained to the highest standards and also has the latest equipment, systems and software installed to support front-line operations.

The refit includes 42 days in dry dock at the Balaena Mersey yard – perhaps better known by its historic name, Cammell Laird, bought by Balaena in June – for cleaning and repainting the 201-metre-long hull, and work on the propulsion system and bow thruster.

In all, Balaena staff, contractors and RFA crew – around 40 remain assigned to Tidesurge during the refit, roughly half her usual complement – are performing some 1,200 individual pieces of maintenance on the ship, plus 38 capability enhancements.

The work is due to be completed before Christmas, after which the ship’s company will conduct trials, then training before Tidesurge resumes her place in the RFA’s order of battle.

The Duke, who has been the honorary head of Royal Fleet Auxiliary for two decades, met both ship’s company and those supporting them and their ship through her overhaul on Merseyside.

“It was a pleasure to host His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in refit,” said Executive Officer Chief Officer Christopher Lowe RFA.

“It was a great opportunity for the ship’s company to meet and speak with the Duke – who is the RFA’s Commodore-in-Chief – and he thoroughly enjoyed his tour of our ship and spending time with the ship’s company.”

Second Officer (Communication and Information Systems) George Wrightson added: “The Duke was very pleasant and seemed genuinely interested in understanding both the installation of our new communications ‘fit’ and how the Communication and Information Systems team contributes to the refit.”

And Leading Hand Albert Haynes said: “I have served 26 years in the Royal Navy but in my first week in the RFA I have had the opportunity to meet His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.”

Tidesurge is one of two RFA vessels in the hands of the Birkenhead yard, alongside ammunition/general stores support ship RFA Fort Victoria which is due to begin her refit before Christmas.