Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Official Number: 363380
Class: ROVER CLASS Small Fleet Tanker
Pennant No: A273
Laid down:
Builder: Swan Hunter, Wallsend
Launched: 30 August 1973
Into Service: 23 August 1974
Out of service: 2017
Fate: Scrapped
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: In 1967, tenders were invited for what eventually turned out to be five ships in this Class. Owing to unsatisfactory performance from the original engines, which had been a political decision, the first three ships in the Class were re-engined in 1974. The final two ships differed slightly from the earlier three and had improved accommodation standards and different stern anchor arrangements.
30 October 1973 launched by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd, Wallsend as Yard Nr: 60 named BLACK ROVER. The Lady Sponsor was Mrs Sandra Trewby, the wife of Vice Admiral George F.A. Trewby, the Chief of Fleet Support
Launched without her funnel and accommodation
6 December 1973 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her
23 August 1974 completed at a cost of £7m. Handed over by the builders to Captain A E T Hunter RFA the ships Master at Greenock
24 August 1974 sailed Greenock to Portsmouth
26 August 1974 anchored at Spithead
28 August 1974 entered Portsmouth Harbour
30 August 1974 loaded bunkers from barge C1015
3 September 1974 RMAS Watershed secured alongside providing 94 tons of fresh water
RMAS Watershed
4 September 1974 RMAS Waterfall secured alongside providing fresh water
9 September 1974 alongside the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty loading 399 tons of AVCAT as cargo
12 September 1974 sailed Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty to Gibraltar
15 September 1974 arrived at Gibraltar and secured at number 22/23 berths
16 September 1974 loaded FFO as cargo
17 September 1974 loaded Diesol as cargo
18 September 1974 sailed Gibraltar
21 September 1974 arrived at Portland and secured to A1 buoy
23 September 1974 RMAS Waterside secured alongside providing fresh water
23 October 1974 anchored at St Brides Bay sailed to Portland arriving on 25 October 1974 secured to A1 buoy
31 October 1974 sailed Portland to the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
11 November 1974 sailed Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty to Gibraltar
16 November 1974 arrived at Gibraltar and made fast on No: 46 berth
21 November 1974 moved to No: 21 berth at Gibraltar
23 November 1974 sailed Gibraltar for Malta
26 November 1974 arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta
27 November 1974 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta to Venice
29 November 1974 arrived at Venice and anchored
4 December 1974 sailed Venice for Grand Harbour, Malta
6 December 1974 arrived at Grand Harbour, Malta
12 December 1974 sailed Grand Harbour, Malta for Gibraltar
15 December 1974 arrived at Gibraltar sailing the same day for Chatham
19 December 1974 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
6 January 1975 sailed Chatham to Portland arrived the same day
7 January 1975 to 10 January 1975 in Portland Exercise area
11 January 1975 berthed on A2 Buoy at Portland
14 January 1975 to 16 January 1975 deployed in the Portland Exercise area
17 January 1975 sailed from Portland to Devonport arrived the same day mooring on the Hamoaze No: 2 buoy
20 January 1975 moved from Hamoaze No: 2 buoy to Yonderberry Oil Fuel Jetty berthing bows south
27 January 1975 sailed from Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty to Plymouth Sound
28 January 1975 sailed Plymouth Sound to Falmouth
30 January 1975 sailed Falmouth to Portsmouth berthing on the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
5 February 1975 sailed Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty to Portland
6 February 1975 in Portland Exercise Area
7 February 1975 sailed Portland to Gibraltar arriving on 11 February 1975 and berthed alongside
12 February 1975 to 14 February 1975 deployed to Gibraltar Exercise area
15 February 1975 sailed Gibraltar to Malta
17 February 1975 berthed at Malta
26 February 1975 sailed Malta
27 February 1975 off Sardinia Exercise area
5 March 1975 sailed Sardinia Exercise area to Gibraltar
6 March 1975 berthed at Gibraltar
13 March 1975 sailed Gibraltar to Malta
19 March 1975 berthed in Grand Harbour, Malta
1 April 1975 sailed Malta to Bodrum
4 April 1975 at anchor at Bodrum
8 April 1975 sailed Bodrum to Brindisi
11 April 1975 sailed from off Brindisi to the Black Sea
14 April 1975 sailed from the Black Sea to Malta
17 April 1975 arrived and berthed at Malta
18 April 1975 sailed Malta on exercises
24 April 1975 berthed at Malta
14 May 1975 sailed Malta to Izmir
15 May 1975 arrived at Izmir and anchored
20 May 1975 sailed Izmir to Antalya on exercises
26 May 1975 sailed from off Antalya after exercises
29 May 1975 arrived and berthed in Grand Harbour, Malta
1 June 1975 sailed Malta for exercises of La Spezia to the north of Sicily
6 June 1975 berthed at Malta
8 June 1975 sailed Malta to Antalya for further exercises
11 June 1975 berthed at Ajaccio
12 June 1975 sailed Ajaccio for Malta arriving 14 June 1975
16 June 1975 sailed Malta for Taranto arriving the next day
19 June 1975 sailed Taranto for exercises
21 June 1975 berthed at Malta to load cargo and water then sailed for further exercises
23 June 1975 anchored at Teulada Gulf
30 June 1975 sailed Teulada Gulf
13 July 1976 at Rosyth (see note 1)
10 August 1976 at Portsmouth (see note 1)
3 May 1977 at Newcastle (see note 2)
23 May 1977 at Portsmouth (see note 2)
9 September 1977 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
23 October 1977 at Portland
3 January 1978 at Chatham Dockyard
17 October 1978 at North Shields, River Tyne
31 October 1978 at Rosyth
4 December 1978 at Plymouth
17 January 1979 at Portsmouth
3 April 1979 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
20 April 1979 sailed from Chatham Dockyard into the River Medway
8 May 1979 along with RFA’s OLMEDA and REGENT sailed Portsmouth as part of Task Group 317.8 led by the guided missile destroyer HMS NORFOLK
17 June 1979 Captain Shane Redmond RFA appointed as Master
Captain Shane Redmond RFA
15 July 1979 at Melbourne, Australia
12 May 1980 with the frigate HMS ESKIMO, she was despatched from St Vincent in the Bahamas area after Cuban aircraft had attacked and sunk the Bahamian Defence Force vessel FLAMINGO while it was trying to arrest Cuban fishing vessels which were fishing illegally and rescued the crew
25 July 1980 at Portsmouth Harbour
4 August 1980 at Avonmouth
28 January 1981 at Fort Lauderdale, Floria
1982 did not see service during the Falklands Conflict as she was in refit at Rosyth at the time
1 April 1982 at Rosyth in Dry Dock No: 1
15 April 1982 Dry Dock No: 1 flooded up
30 April 1982 dry move to a berth on North Wall, Rosyth Dockyard
1 May 1982 commenced storing ship
6 May 1982 loaded 632 tons of bunkers
7 May 1982 loaded 156.5 tons of fresh water
9 May 1982 sailed Rosyth for trials returning the same day
17 May 1982 sailed Rosyth
19 May 1982 berthed at the Nato Fuel Jetty, Cambletown and loaded 437 tons of AVCAT
20 May 1982 sailed Cambleton to the Clyde Exercise Area
28 May 1982 berthed at Faslane
1 June 1982 sailed Faslane
3 June 1982 berthed on the Deep Water Jetty at Portland
24 June 1982 sailed Portland to the Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty. Tugs Bustler and Adept assisted with her berthing
5 July 1982 sailed Portsmouth to Bermuda
14 July 1982 berthed at HMS Malabar, Bermuda
16 July 1982 sailed Bermuda to Fort Lauderdale
19 July 1982 arrived at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale
22 July 1982 sailed Fort Lauderdale to Key West
25 July 1982 arrived at Pier B, Key West
26 July 1982 sailed Key West to Belize
27 July 1982 anchored at Punta Gorda
28 July 1982 sailed Punta Gorda for Belize City
29 July 1982 anchored at Belize City
31 July 1982 sailed Belize City
3 August 1982 arrived at Montego Bay, Jamaica and berthed alongside at No: 2 berth
6 August 1982 sailed Montego Bay, Jamaica
9 August 1982 arrived at Fort Lauderdale – No: 21 berth
16 August 1982 sailed Fort Lauderdale
19 August 1982 arrived at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico
20 August 1982 arrived at Anguilla
22 August 1982 sailed from Anguilla
23 August 1982 arrived at Bridgetown, Barbados – made fast at the Breakwater berth
26 August 1982 sailed Bridgetown, Barbados
27 August 1982 berthed at the harbour at Castries, St. Lucia
29 August 1982 sailed Castries, St. Lucia
30 August 1982 anchored off Port of Spain, Trinidad
4 September 1982 sailed Port of Spain, Trinidad
10 September 1982 anchored off Roseau, Dominica
13 September 1982 sailed Roseau, Dominica for Martinique arriving the same day securing on Quai de Tourelles
16 September 1982 sailed Martinique to the Belize area
24 September 1982 arrived Houston and berthed at No: 4 berth
29 September 1982 sailed Houston towards Vera Cruz
18 December 1982 st Chatham Dockyard
14 February 1983 Captain Anthony Pitt DSC RFA appointed in command
Captain A F Pitt DSC RFA
21 January 1983 at Rosyth Dockyard Rear Admiral John Warsop, the Port Admiral, presented South Atlantic Medals to twenty five members of the crew who had served in that conflict on other ships of the RFA
7 May 1983 at Portland
29 November 1983 at Gibraltar
31 March 1984 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
26 July 1984 Westland Wasp HAS1 helicopter No: XS779 – damaged when landing on board the ship off Belize, in heavy sea
10 September 1984 berthed on Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
21 September 1984 at Portland
28 February 1985 at Portsmouth
22 May 1986 at Portland
2 July 1986 following a fire in the engine room, whilst alongside at Portland, Dorset MM1A J. Ganbrill, MM1A D. Evans and SG1A E Cripps were each presented with a C in C’s Commendation for prompt and courageous response to the emergency which helped save the ship
4 November 1986 at Portsmouth
15 July 1987 Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed in command at Devonport
Captain Alan T Roach RFA
29 August 1987 to 31 August 1987 at berthed at Devonport Naval Base for Navy Days
20 October 1987 at Portland
26 February 1988 at South Georgia
23 April 1988 at the Falkland Islands
7 May 1988 at Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
September 1988 Captain Jeremy R J Carew OBE RFA in command
23 September 1988 at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
8 October 1988 Captain (E) Edward M Quigley RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
9 January 1989 to 11 April 1989 in refit at Rosyth
11 April 1989 Captain Brian J Waters RFA appointed as Master
Captain Brian J Waters RFA
1 May 1989 at Rosyth
4 November 1989 at Portland
18 December 1989 Captain Peter J Lannin RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Peter J Lannin RFA
9 January 1991 at Rosyth Captain Pat Thompson RFA appointed Commanding Officer
Captain Pat Thompson RFA
14 January 1991 at Middlesborough
9 June 1991 at Plymouth Captain Pat Thompson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
28 September 1991 at Portland. Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
6 October 1991 at Portland and Captain Pat Thompson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
11 August 1992 at Plymouth
5 March 1993 berthed at Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty
24 March 1993 at Portland
26 November 1993 Captain Anthony F Pitt DSC RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
27 November 1993 sailed the River Tyne
17 August 1995 to 19 August 1995 berthed at Devonport Naval Base for Navy Days
17 November 1995 at Plymouth
April 1996 Supported the destroyer HMS GLOUCESTER during the first RN/USN/Russian Navy exercise off the south coast of England
14 April 1996 at Plymouth
6 May 1996 berthed at Devonport
28 June 1996 RASed with USS John F. Kennedy in the Western Approaches, whilst serving as FOST tanker. The RAS lasted seven hours and during the evolution 2,400 cubic metres of fuel was transferred.
May 1997 to 29 August 1997 Humanitarian aid – in Operation Caxton – with the destroyer HMS LIVERPOOL she was in the vicinity of Montserrat during and after major volcanic eruptions and supported the voluntary evacuation of the island
9 December 1997 at Port Canaveral, USA
16 June 1998 at Nassau, Bahamas
12 July 1998 Humanitarian aid – towed the inter-island freighter ANESTINE MAC to a safe anchorage at Montserrat
22 September 1998 and 23 September 1998 Humanitarian relief – supported the frigate HMS SHEFFIELD in St Kitts and Montserrat in the wake of Hurricane Georges
31 October 1998 to 3 November 1998 Humanitarian relief – supported the frigate HMS SHEFFIELD in the Honduran offshore islands in the wake of Hurricane Mitch on Operation Mainsail
6 November 1998 15 November 1998 with other RN units and RFA SIR TRISTRAM responded to the effects of Hurricane Mitch in Nicaragua and Honduras providing hurricane relief efforts. Shared the Wilkinson Sword of Peace award with RFA SIR TRISTRAM in recognition of their outstanding contribution to humanitarian relief operations in Honduras and Nicaragua
29 April 1999 Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
Captain (E) Graham Turner RFA
15 November 1999 to 20 May 1999 in refit
6 October 2000 arrived off Belize with HMS CARDIFF to provide hurricane relief efforts after Hurricane Keith
12 October 2000 Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
10 February 2001 to 13 February 2001 berthed at Santa Cruz, Spain
15 May 2001 Captain Peter Farmer RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Peter Farmer RFA
9 November 2001 at Devonport and Captain Trevor J Iles RFA appointed in command
Captain Trevor J Iles RFA
25 February 2002 at Plymouth
20 March 2002 at Devonport
1 April 2002 to 24 May 2002 routine docking
2 April 2002 at Portsmouth
22 May 2002 at Portsmouth
1 August 2002 at Plymouth
23 August 2002 to 26 August 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
6 October 2002 CPO (Cook) Leslie J Austin discharged dead
7 November 2002 berthed at Falmouth Docks
11 November 2002 sailed from Falmouth
10 January 2003 Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA
6 March 2003 off Freetown, Sierra Leone with HMS IRON DUKE as part of a Joint Task Force. Stayed 7 days
7 December 2003 Seaman 1A Neville P Gilroy discharged dead.
14 May 2004 Captain Alistair Swatridge RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
23 September 2004 Captain (X) Nigel Budd RFA appointed Commanding Officer until 27 September 2004
30 September 2004 Captain (E) Robert Settle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
7 October 2004 Captain (X) David J Buck RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) David J Buck RFA
23 May 2005 a small fishing vessel “Bounty” TH 151 capsized and sank in Lyme Bay, two survivors boarded a liferaft, they were seen and rescued by the crew of the Black Rover. The survivors were subsequently landed ashore at Portland.
21 June 2005 berthed at Gibraltar
5 August 2005 with HMS YORK visited Colombo, Sri Lanka as part of a RN deployment – Volans 05
17 August 2005 took part in Exercise Deep Sabre, part of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) in the South China Sea with ships from the US, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Russia along with Singapore. HMAS WESTRALIA (ex RFA Appleleaf 3) also took part
6 November 2005 Captain (X) David J Buck RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
26 November 2005 berthed at Southampton
9 May 2006 berthed at Gibraltar
18 May 2006 sailed Gibraltar
6 June 2006 Captain Chris McKenzie RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
9 September 2006 Captain (X) Paul Minter RFA appointed as Commander Officer
Captain (X) Paul Minter RFA
4 January 2007 in Plymouth Sound
14 April 2007 berthed on Yonderberry Pier, River Tamar
9 June 2007 Captain (X) Ray Bennett RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
30 June 2007 Captain (X) David J Buck RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
1 September 2007 entered Falmouth for refit
2 October 2007 at Falmouth moved from No 4 Dry Dock to County Wharf
5 November 2007 at Falmouth
3 December 2007 at Falmouth sailed for sea trials after refit
21 December 2007 at Plymouth
3 March 2008 berthed at Devonport
5 March 2008 in Plymouth Sound
19 July 2008 berthed alongside at Santos
25 August 2008 berthed at Rio de Janerio
19 October 2008 Captain (E) Robert Smith RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
18 November 2008 arrived at Grytviken, South Georgia
30 November 2008 RASed with HMS CLYDE
December 2008 ship with HMS IRON DUKE at the islands of South Georgia.
11 December 2008 berthed alongside at Simonstown
5 January 2009 sailed Simonstown
10 January 2009 anchored at Tristan da Cunha until 12 January 2009
19 January 2009 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
2 February 2009 sailed East Cove Military Port, RASed with RFA LARGS BAY
3 February 2009 anchored off New Island, West Falkland
4 February 2009 sailed New Island, West Falkland
6 February 2009 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
8 February 2009 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
9 February 2009 anchored at Choiseul Sound, East Falkland
10 February 2009 anchored at New Island, West Falkland for settlement visit
18 February 2009 berthed at Rio de Janeiro
22 February 2009 sailed Rio de Janeiro
23 February 2009 RASed with HMS MANCHESTER
27 February 2009 RASed with HMS MANCHESTER
1 March 2009 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
9 March 2009 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
10 March 2009 anchored in Keppel Sound, West Falkland sailing the same day
12 March 2009 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
17 March 2009 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
30 March 2009 anchored at Cumberland Bay, South Georgia
31 March 2009 sailed Cumberland Bay, South Georgia
1 April 2009 RASed with HMS MANCHESTER
HMS MANCHESTER
3 April 2009 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
6 April 2009 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
7 April 2009 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
8 April 2009 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
21 April 2009 berthed at Fortaleza, Brazil
24 April 2009 stood down as APT (S) and sailed Fortaleza, Brazil
2 May 2009 at Funchal, Maderia sailing the same day
6 May 2009 arrived at Devonport sailing the same day for Birkenhead
8 May 2009 arrived at No:6 dock, Birkenhead for refit
15 December 2009 sailed from Birkenhead for post refit trials returning the next day
9 January 2010 sailed Birkenhead post refit
11 January 2010 arrived at Devonport
25 February 2010 sailed Devonport and made fast to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
2 March 2010 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
4 March 2010 made fast to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
9 March 2010 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning later the same day and making fast to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound
March 2010 numerous sailings from Plymouth Sound returning as necessary
1 April 2010 sailed Plymouth Sound
2 April 2010 berthed at Portland
8 April 2010 sailed Portland
10 April 2010 berthed on Yonderberry Pier, Devonport
15 April 2010 sailed Yonderberry, Pier, Devonport
16 April 2010 berthed on Q Pier, Portland
26 April 2010 Captain (E) Robert Settle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
30 April 2010 sailed Portland for APT (S) tasking
14 May 2010 anchored off Ascension
17 May 2010 sailed Ascension
20 May 2010 anchored off Jamestown, St Helena
23 May 2010 sailed Jamestown, St Helena
28 May 2010 arrived at Tristan da Cunha – A football match against the Tristan Tigers was lost 5-2
31 May 2010 sailed Tristan da Cunha
8 June 2010 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
13 June 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
16 June 2010 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
21 June 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
26 June 2010 berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
3 July 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
5 July 2010 anchored at Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
7 July 2010 sailed Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
9 July 2010 anchored at Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
10 July 2010 sailed Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands and berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
16 July 2010 Temporary Acting Captain (E) Mike New RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
20 July 2010 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to SMP, Mare Harbour to load cargo
21 July 2010 sailed SMP, Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
30 July 2010 alongside at Berth 7, Rio de Janerio
18 August 2010 sailed from Rio de Janerio
26 August 2010 anchored at Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
27 August 2010 sailed from Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands and berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
1 September 2010 sailed from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands for patrol
3 September 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
8 September 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to patrol
10 September 2010 anchored in Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
12 September 2010 sailed Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
19 September 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
27 September 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to patrol
30 September 2010 anchored at San Carlos, Falkland Islands sailing later the same day for Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
1 October 2010 anchored at Choiseul Sound
2 October 2010 sailed Choiseul Sound
4 October 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
7 October 2010 moved from East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to SMP, Mare Harbour
8 October 2010 sailed SMP Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands to patrol
11 October 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
16 October 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to patrol
21 October 2010 anchored at Port William, Falkland Islands
26 October 2010 sailed Port William, Falkland Islands to patrol
31 October 2010 anchored at Fox Bay, Falkland Islands sailing later the same day
1 November 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
6 November 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to patrol
13 November 2010 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
17 November 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to RAS with HMS GLOUCESTER returning to East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands later the same day
20 November 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands for patrol
25 November 2010 berthed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
29 November 2010 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
10 December 2010 berthed at Simontown, South AFrica
13 December 2010 LH (E) Stuart Jackson discharged dead at Simonstown, South Africa
2 January 2011 sailed Simonstown, South Africa
7 January 2011 anchored off Tristan da Chuna for the day. A football match against the Tristan Tigers was lost 9-0
14 January 2011 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
15 January 2011 Captain (X) Nigel Budd RFA appointed Commanding Officer
17 January 2011 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
20 January 2011 anchored off King Edward Point, South Georgia in the company of HMS GLOUCESTER
28 January 2011 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
4 February 2011 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands to Choiseul Sound
6 February 2011 Captain Trevor Illes RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
8 February 2011 sailed Choiseul Sound to SMP Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
9 February 2011 sailed SMP Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
22 February 2011 anchored off Ascension Island
24 February 2011 sailed Anscension Island
26 February 2011 anchored of Jamestown, St Helena
7 March 2011 sailed St Helena
11 March 2011 anchored of Ascension Island
14 March 2011 sailed Ascension Island
20 March 2011 RASed with HMS YORK
24 March 2011 RASed with HMS YORK
29 March 2011 anchored in San Carlos Water, Falkland Islands
1 April 2011 anchored in Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands
2 April 2011 sailed Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands berthing at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
15 April 2011 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
16 April 2011 RASed with HMS YORK
17 April 2011 RASed with HMS YORK
18 April 2011 RASed with HMS YORK
29 April 2011 berthed at Simonstown, South Africa
24 May 2011 sailed Simonstown, South Africa
7 June 2011 RASed with HMS EDINBURGH
15 June 2011 berthed at Las Palmas, Canary Islands
18 June 2011 sailed Las Palmas, Canary Islands
26 June 2011 anchored off Ascension Island
29 June 2011 sailed Ascension Island
12 July 2011 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
14 July 2011 Captain (X) Paul S Whyte MBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
18 July 2011 moved to SMP, Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
19 July 2011 sailed SMP, Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
20 July 2011 RASed with HMS’s EDINBURGH and CLYDE
21 July 2011 anchored in Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands
22 July 2011 sailed Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands returning to the same anchorage later in the day
23 July 2011 sailed Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands and RASed HMS EDINBURGH and returning to the same anchorage later in the day
24 July 2011 sailed Berkeley Sound, Falkland Islands returning to the same anchorage later in the day
25 July 2011 sailed Berkley Sound, Falkland Islands
26 July 2011 RASed with HMS EDINBURGH
27 July 2011 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
30 July 2011 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands and anchored off New Island, Falkland Islands
31 July 2011 anchored in King George Bay, Falkland Islands
1 August 2011 anchored off New Island, Falkland Islands
3 August 2011 anchored in Choiseul Sound, Falkland Islands later berthed alongside at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
4 August 2011 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands and anchored in Berkeley Sound
5 August 2011 anchored at Port William, Falkland Islands
8 August 2011 sailed Port William, Falkland Islands
11 August 2011 anchored at King Edward Cove, South Georgia
12 August 2011 moved anchorage from King Edward Cove, South Georgia to Gold Harbour, South Georgia
13 August 2011 sailed King Edward Cove, South Georgia
17 August 2011 RASed with HMS EDINBURGH
18 August 2011 arrived at SPM, Mare Harbour, Falkland Islands
19 August 2011 berthed on the Ro-Ro jetty at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
22 August 2011 sailed Ro-Ro jetty, East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
25 August 2011 RASed with HMS EDINBURGH. FlyEx with HMS EDINBURGH’s Lynx Helicopter
5 September 2011 anchored at Georgetown, Ascension Island
8 September 2011 sailed from Ascension Island
16 September 2011 berthed at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
23 September 2011 sailed Santa Cruz de Tenerife
27 September 2011 arrived at Portland Harbour for a SMP and berthed on Q Pier
16 October 2011 sailed Portland Harbour
17 October 2011 arrived at Plymouth
21 October 2011 berthed at D Buoy, Plymouth Sound
23 October 2011 sailed Plymouth Sound
24 October 2011 berthed HM Dockyard, Portsmouth on Middle Slip Jetty
26 October 2011 sailed HM Dockyard Portsmouth
27 October 2011 RASed HMS’s BULWALK, SUTHERLAND and YORK
28 October 2011 deployed as FOST Tanker
29 October 2011 RASed HMS’s ILLUSTRIOUS and DIAMOND
31 October 2011 RASed FGS Emden
4 November 2011 made fast to D Buoy in Plymouth Sound
7 November 2011 sailed Plymouth Sound
11 November 2011 made fast to E Buoy, Plymouth Sound
14 November 2011 sailed Plymouth Sound
18 November 2011 berthed on Yonderbury Jetty, Devonport
19 November 2011 Captain Trevor Illes RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
21 November 2011 sailed Yonderbery Jetty to sea
25 November 2011 berthed at Portland Harbour
27 November 2011 sailed Portland Harbour
2 December 2011 berthed at Portland Harbour
9 January 2012 sailed Portland Harbour
13 January 2012 made fast to C Buoy, in Plymouth Sound
16 January 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 January 2012 made fast to C Buoy, in Plymouth Sound
23 January 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound
27 January 2012 made fast to C Buoy, in Plymouth Sound
29 January 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound
4 February 2012 berthed at Portland Harbour
7 February 2012 sailed from Portland Harbour
8 February 2012 berthed at Devonport
24 February 2012 sailed Devonport
26 February 2012 entered West Dock, Birkenhead
20 May 2012 while in refit at Cammell Lairds, Birkenhead at 09:00 this day fire broke out in one of the cabins being worked on by Cammell Lairds staff. The fire brigade were called and it was reported that the fire was extinguished by 10:45am
24 September 2012 sailed Liverpool
25 September 2012 entered West Dock, Birkenhead
8 October 2012 sailed Liverpool
9 October 2012 berthed alsongside at Loch Striven
15 October 2012 sailed Loch Striven and anchored in anchorage No 7 at Rothesay later moving the anchorage to B1 anchorage in the Firth of Clyde
16 October 2012 berthed and later sailed Glen Mallen
18 October 2012 berthed at Portland
25 October 2012 sailed from Portland returning to Portland later the same day
30 October 2012 sailed Portland returning to Portland the next day
6 November 2012 sailed Portland and berthed at Portsmouth Harbour the same day
9 November 2012 sailed Portsmouth Harbour and berthed at Marchwood Military Port
15 November 2012 sailed Marchwood Military Port and arrived at Plymouth the next day
19 November 2012 sailed Plymouth returning to Plymouth later the same day
21 November 2012 sailed Plymouth returning to Plymouth later the same day
27 November 2012 sailed Plymouth returning to Plymouth later the same day
29 November 2012 sailed Plymouth returning to Plymouth later the same day
3 December 2012 sailed from Plymouth Sound returning the next day
5 December 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound returning to Plymouth later the same day
6 December 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound returning to Plymouth Sound later the same day
10 December 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound returning to Plymouth on the 14 December 2012
15 December 2012 sailed Plymouth returning to Plymouth later the same day
17 December 2012 sailed Plymouth Sound returning to No 5 wharf at Devonport on 20 December 2012
8 January 2013 sailed Devonport returning to D Buoy in Playmouth Sound on 10 January 2013
14 January 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 17 January 2013
21 January 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 24 January 2013
28 January 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 1 February 2013
4 February 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to Portland on 15 February 2013
3 March 2013 sailed Portland returning to 16 Wharf at Devonport on 13 March 2013
15 March 2013 cold move from 16 Wharf to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty
18 March 2013 sailed Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty returning to C Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 29 March 2013
1 April 2013 sailed C Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to Q Pier, Portland on 5 April 2013
21 April 2013 sailed Q Pier, Portland to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound later the same day
22 April 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 24 April 2013
25 April 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound returning to Rubble Jetty, Devonport Dockyard on 26 April 2013
28 April 2013 sailed Rubble Jetty Devonport Dockyard returning to D Buoy, Plymouth Sound on 1 May 2013
2 May 2013 sailed D Buoy, Plymouth Sound to sea returning to Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty later the same day
3 May 2013 sailed Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty on passage to Ascension Island arriving 15 May 2013
15 May 2013 to 17 May 2013 anchored off Ascension Island
17 May 2013 sailed from Ascension Island anchorage on passage to Jamestown, St. Helena
20 May 2013 to 23 May 2013 anchored off Jamestown, St. Helena
23 May 2013 sailed St Helena anchorage on passage to Dartmouth Point, South Georgia
3 June 2013 anchored at South Georgia
6 June 2013 sailed South Georgia for East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands arriving 11 June 2013
4 July 2013 sailed Ro-Ro Jetty, East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
29 July 2013 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
24 August 2013 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
28 August 2013 at Tristan da Cunha
3 September 2013 RASed with HMS RICHMOND – Film of RAS HERE
11 September 2013 Captain (X) Nigel Budd RFA appointed Commanding Officer
12 September 2013 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
23 September 2013 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands and anchored at Port Egmont
25 September 2013 sailed Port Egmont
27 September 2013 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
6 October 2013 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
9 October 2013 anchored in Low Bay, Weddle Island
10 October 2013 sailed Low Bay, Weddle Island
11 October 2013 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
20 October 2013 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
22 October 2013 anchored at King edward Cove, South Georgia
24 October 2013 moved anchorage to Husvik Harbour, South Georgia
26 October 2013 sailed Husvik Harbour, South Georgia
29 October 2013 anchored Chiosel Sound, Falkland Islands
30 October 2013 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
11 November 2013 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands and anchored at Chiosel Sound, Falkland Islands
12 November 2013 sailed Chiosel Sound, Falkland Islands
23 November 2013 RASed with HMS RICHMOND at 34.36S 10.43E
26 November 2013 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
17 December 2013 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
27 December 2013 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
29 December 2013 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
30 December 2013 transitted the Magellen Straits
2 January 2014 RASed with HMS RICHMOND
4 January 2013 FLYEX with HMS RICHMOND
9 January 2014 crossed the Equator and RASed with HMS RICHMOND
11 January 2014 arrived at Balboa, Republic of Panama and transitted the Canal – northbound
14 January 2014 arrived at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
11 February 2014 berthed at Port of Spain, Trinidad
12 February 2014 sailed from Port of Spain, Trinidad
28 February 2014 berthed at Dakar, Senegal
13 March 2014 sailed Dakar, Senegal
24 March 2014 berthed at Luanda, Angola
27 March 2014 sailed Luanda, Angola
1 April 2014 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa. Captain (X) Nigel A Budd RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Nigel A Budd RFA
8 April 2014 joined by HMS PORTLAND at Simonstown Dockyard which commenced an AMP
22 April 2014 sailed Simonstown Dockyard
3 May 2014 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
11 May 2014 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
15 May 2014 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
19 May 2014 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
20 May 2014 undertook RAS approaches with HMS CLYDE
23 May 2014 at Choisell Sound
24 May 2014 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
31 May 2014 sailed East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
2 June 2014 off Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and transitted the Magellan Strait
6 June 2014 RASed with HMS PORTLAND
12 June 2014 off Punta Arenas at 53°18S 70°70W
14 June 2014 berthed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands
20 June 2014 sailed at East Cove Military Port, Falkland Islands and exercised RAS approaches with HMS CLYDE
2 July 2014 anchored off Ascension Island
4 July 2014 Captain (E) Malcolm Smeaton RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
6 July 2014 sailed from Ascension Island anchorage
9 July 2014 RASed with HMS IRON DUKE
10 July 2014 berthed at Conakry, Republic of Guinea
14 July 2014 sailed Conakry, Republic of Guinea
15 July 2014 RASed with HMS IRON DUKE and FNS Commandant Blaison during their current Passage Exercise (PASSEX)
RFA Black Rover RAS’s with British and French Naval Vessels
20 July 2014 RASed with HMS IRON DUKE
21 July 2014 berthed at Sekondi-Takoradi Naval Base, Ghana
24 July 2014 sailed from Sekondi-Takoradi Naval Base, Ghana and RASed with HMS IRON DUKE
28 July 2014 anchored off Ascension Island
31 July 2014 sailed Ascension Island anchorage
4 August 2014 RASed with HMS IRON DUKE
11 August 2014 berthed at Walvis Bay, Namibia
15 August 2014 sailed from Walvis Bay, Namibia
19 August 2014 anchored off False Bay, South Africa
20 August 2014 berthed at Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
1 September 2014 Captain Ian N Pilling RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
23 September 2014 sailed from Simonstown Dockyard, South Africa
RFA Black Rover manouevering to leave the Outer Basin at Simonstown.
Image courtesy and © of David Erickson
3 October 2014 anchored off Ascension Island
7 October 2014 sailed Ascension Island anchorage
16 October 2014 berthed at Las Palmas de Grand Canaria
21 October 2014 sailed from Las Palmas de Grand Canaria
28 October 2014 berthed at Glen Mallen
30 October 2014 moved berths from Glen Mallen to Loch Striven
2 November 2014 sailed Loch Striven for Birkenhead
3 November 2014 arrived at Birkenhead
17 December 2014 Captain (X) Ian N Pilling RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
24 January 2015 Captain (E) Malcolm Smeaton RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
25 January 2015 sailed Birkenhead for Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty, Devonport
29 January 2015 sailed Yonderbury Oil Fuel Jetty, Devonport
30 January 2015 berthed at Q Pier at Portland
31 January 2015 Captain (X) Duncan Lamb RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Duncan Lamb RFA
1 February 2015 sailed Portland Harbour
5 February 2015 made fast to ‘C’ Buoy, Plymouth Sound
9 February 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
13 February 2015 arrived at Plymouth Sound
16 February 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
19 February 2015 made fast to ‘C’ Buoy at Plymouth Sound
23 February 2015 Captain (X) Gerard A Patterson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer. Sailed from Plymouth Sound
Captain (X) Gerard A Patterson RFA
28 February 2015 – made fast to ‘C’ Buoy, at Plymouth Sound
2 March 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
5 March 2015 berthed at Portland
8 March 2015 sailed from Portland
17 and 18 March 2015 together with HMS’s BULWALK and ARGYLE, Royal Air Force helicopters and more than 80 Royal Marines from 40 Commando based in Taunton, supported by troops and military hardware from 29 Commando Royal Artillery, 24 Commando Royal Engineers, King’s Royal Hussars and Royal Dragoon Guards engaged in Exercise Browndown Battle II off the Isle of Wight and Browndown camp, Gosport. The exercise Browndown Battle II was staged as part of the Advanced Command and Staff Course for over 350 UK and international military students, for them to experience and evaluate the breadth of the Royal Navy’s capabilities within a joint operational environment
20 March 2015 berthed at Portland
10 April 2015 sailed Portland
12 April 2015 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
20 April 2015 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot and anchored off Tail of Bank
21 April 2015 shifted from the Tail of Bank anchorage and berthed at Gareloch Head, Faslane
28 April 2015 sailed from Gareloch Gead to Loch Striven
2 May 2015 sailed Loch Striven
7 May 2015 berthed at Portland
10 May 2015 sailed Portland
11 May 2015 RASed with HMS ST ALBANS
12 May 2015 engaged in TOWEX with HMS NORTHUMBERLAND
18 May 2015 RASed with TCG Gokova
19 May 2015 engaged in TOWEX with TCG Gokova
20 May 2015 RASed with HMS ST ALBANS and TCG Gokova
21 May 2015 berthed at Portland
22 May 2015 Captain (E) Brian A M King RFA appointed as Chied Engineer Officer
25 May 2015 sailed Portland
28 May 2015 RASed with HMS ST ALBANS
29 May 2015 RASed astern with NRP Vasco de Gama later at Plymouth Sound secured on ‘D’ Buoy
1 June 2015 sailed from Plymouth Sound
5 June 2015 at Plymouth Sound on ‘C’ Buoy
9 June 2015 at Plymouth moved berths to No: 1 Jetty Devonport
11 June 2015 sailed from No: 1 Jetty Devonport
12 June 2015 secured to ‘D’ Buoy in Plymouth Sound
15 June 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
17 June 2015 RASed with HNLMS Friesland
18 June 2015 RASed with RFA LYME BAY
19 June 2015 at Plymouth Sound secured to ‘D’ Buoy
20 June 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
22 June 2015 berthed at Glen Mallen
25 June 2015 sailed from Glen Mallen for Loch Striven
8 July 2015 sailed from Loch Striven
10 July 2015 anchored off Douglas, Isle of Man
12 July 2015 berthed at Portland
26 July 2015 sailed from Portland
28 July 2015 berthed at Birkenhead
17 September 2015 berthed alongside at West Float, Birkenhead
13 March 2017 sailed Birkenhead under the tow of the tug MTS Vanquish. Her pennant number and rear anchor had been removed
17 March 2017 arrived at Portsmouth Harbour and berthed alongide in the Dockyard
22 March 2017 moved from Portsmouth Dockyard to Fareham Creek trot in Portsmouth Harbour – awaiting disposal
29 August 2017 The Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA) invited expressions of interest from companies interested in receiving an invitation to tender in respect to the proposed sale for the sole purpose of recycling of the former RFA ship Black Rover (A273)
21 April 2018 while on the Fareham Creek trot in Portsmouth Harbour developed a list – corrected
11 August 2019 sailed Portsmouth Harbour under the tow of tug Amber II to Aliaga, Turkey and demolition
Lower image © George Mortimer RFAHS member
20 August 2019 passed Gibraltar being towed eastwards
1 September 2019 arrived at the ship breakers at Aliaga, Turkey
20 January 2020 demolition completed
Notes:
1. Locations kindly provided by Bosun George Collings RFA (Retired) from his Discharge Book
2. Locations kindly provided by T Perrier RFA (retired) from his Discharge Book