Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Subsequent name:
Official Number: 722240
Class: FORT CLASS Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Ship
Pennant No: A387
Signal Letters: GACE
Laid down: 4 April 1988
Builder: Harland & Wolff, Belfast
Launched: 12 June 1990
Into Service: 24 June 1994
Crew Number 89
Out of service:
Fate:
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: The “one-stop” concept of the two ships in this Class dates back to 1978 with a Staff Target being generated in 1981. Feasibility studies were conducted by both the MoD and Industry, and a Staff Requirement was endorsed at the end of 1983. Ministerial approval was given in 1984 to invite Industry to tender for a provisional Class of six vessels. A wide range of shipbuilders and defence firms were invited to tender, but only two consortia submitted designs – Harland and Wolff (in association with Yarrow Shipbuilders) and Swan Hunter (in association with British Aerospace/Marconi). The tender submitted by Harland and Wolff was technically preferred by both the MoD and external consultants as it offered earlier delivery and a keener price. The Government announced on 24 April 1986 that a “design and build” contract had been awarded to Harland and Wolff to build the first ship of the Class. A second (and final) order was awarded to Swan Hunter the following year
24 April 1986 ordered
17 November 1987 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her .
15 September 1988 laid down in the large dry dock by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast as Yard Nr 1727
9 January 1989 Mr Robert Settle RFA appointed Chief Engineer Officer
Chief Engineer Officer Robert Settle RFA
10 July 1989 Captain (E) Robert Settle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 May 1990 floated out
June 1990 Captain Shane Redmond OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
19 June 1990 officially named FORT VICTORIA by HRH Duchess of York
6 September 1990 became the victim of two IRA bombs in her engine room. One was defused the other exploded causing damage and flooding
29 June 1992 sailed Belfast on Contractor’s Sea Trials 2 years later than originally planned
6 July 1992 arrived Birkenhead for completion and for rectification of damage sustained during sea trials. The Builders sub-contracted the work to Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd due to the heavy backlog of shipbuilding work at Belfast
16 July 1992 the National Audit Office announced that both of the FORT CLASS AOR’s were subject to delays and cost overruns, FORT VICTORIA 32 months behind schedule and more than £63m over budget. Delays in the development of the command system for their air defence capabilities and difficulties in obtaining parts mean that neither AOR will go to sea with full air defence capabilities for some considerable time. The NAO also concluded that problems resulting from the privatisation of the shipyard have played a significant part in the delay in delivery and the cost overrun
31 July 1992 adopted by the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley
March 1993 Cammell Laird Shipbuilders Ltd closed down
24 March 1993 ship handed over to the MoD (N). Captain Shane Redmond OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
5 April 1993 sailed Birkenhead with between 15,000 and 20,000 items incomplete. The Liverpool Echo reported –
7 April 1993 arrived Portsmouth Dockyard for completion and defect rectification in D Lock by FMRO, 3 years behind schedule and £70m over budget
RFA FORT VICTORIA
4 August 1993 sailed Portsmouth for trials after completion at a total cost of £200m
12 August 1993 returned to Portsmouth after numerous systems’ failures had resulted in having to anchor in Weymouth Bay to carry out temporary repairs
7 January 1994 finally sailed Portsmouth for her long-overdue Part 1V Sea Trials
19 February 1994 at Portland and Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Alan T Roach RFA
31 March 1994 at Portsmouth
29 April 1994 Captain (E) Robert Settle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
23 June 1994 at Portsmouth and Captain Shane Redmond OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
24 August 1994 1st Officer (E) Phillip L Bandy RFA discharged dead
25 August 1994 fire broke out in the cargo main pump room while at Torpoint, Cornwall. No casualties
13 September 1994 sailed Devonport after repairs
27 September 1994 at Glen Mallen and Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
30 December 1994 berthed at DM Crombie
17 February 1995 at Loch Ewe
27 February 1995 humanitarian aid – rescued the eleven crew members of the Norwegian trawler ROALDNES which sank off Aslasund. The crew were kept in the ship’s hospital overnight before being flown back to Norway the following day
14 March 1995 at Glen Mallen
30 March 1995 berthed at Loch Striven
9 June 1995 berthed at DM Crombie
21 July 1995 at DM Crombie, Firth of Forth and Captain R J Carew OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
18 August 1995 at Lisbon
25 August 1995 at Plymouth
15 December 1995 at Glen Mallen and Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
7 March 1996 at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
25 June 1996 at Gibraltar and Captain Peter Lannin RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Peter Lannin RFA
5 July 1996 Captain S F Hodgson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
28 November 1996 Captain David M Pitt RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
2 January 1997 at Southampton
7 March 1997 at Loch Striven
27 April 1997 Captain Jeremy R J Carew OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
20 May 1997 at Plymouth
21 May 1997 at Plymouth
5 June 1997 Captain David Gerrard RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain David Gerrard RFA
2 September 1997 sailed Portsmouth for the Gulf supporting the carrier HMS INVINCIBLE
12 September 1997 at Malaga, Spain
25 October 1997 at Mayport, Florida
14 November 1997 to 17 April 1998 along with the carrier HMS INVINCIBLE served on Operation Bolton – deployment to the Gulf to enforce UN Resolutions against Iraq
10 December 1997 at Crete
23 December 1997 Captain Nigel A Jones RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
8 January 1998 Captain Christopher Knapp RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
18 January 1998 transitted the Suez Canal southbound and met up with the frigate HMS COVENTRY at the southern end of the Red Sea for a fast passage to the Gulf
26 January 1998 entered the Straits of Hormuz
3 April 1998 at Dubai
17 April 1998 departed the Gulf Areas for the U.K
13 May 1998 berthed at Glen Mallon
17 July 1998 with HMS MARLBOROUGH visited Latakia, Syria
HMS MARLBOROUGH
5 September 1998 Captain Pat A Taylor OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
21 September 1998 berthed at Portsmouth
1999 during a refit at Rosyth she was fitted with the Phalanx close-in weapon system with guns on her hangar and bridge roof
4 June 1999 at Rosyth
July 1999 Captain Nigel A Jones RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
13 August 1999 berthed at Glen Mallen
1 December 1999 Captain Alan T Roach RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
27 January 2000 at DM Crombie, River Forth
28 April 2000 at Plymouth
2 May 2000 sailed U.K. as part of Task Group 2000 – the Eastern Adventure Deployment circumnavigation of the globe led by the frigate HMS CORNWALL – along with RFA’s BAYLEAF(3) and DILIGENCE
20 June 2000 at Singapore
19 July 2000 at Singapore and Captain P A Taylor OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
7 August 2000 with RN and French naval units paid a visit to Hong Kong
17 March 2001 Captain J Murchie RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
11 May 2001 to 14 May 2001 berthed at Vigo, Spain
5 August 2001 berthed at the Oil Fuel Jetty, Loch Striven
23 August 2001 Captain (X) R L Williams RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
3 September 2001 sailed on the Argonaut 2001 deployment together with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, fourteen other Royal Naval Warships and RFA’s FORT ROSALIE (2), BAYLEAF (3), SIR TRISTRAM, SIR BEDIVERE, SIR PERCIVALE, SIR GALAHAD (2), FORT AUSTIN, OAKLEAF (2) and DILIGENCE
10 January 2002 berthed at Gibraltar
2002 the ship and Barnsley celebrated their 10th anniversary with a Naval Parade through the town
2 August 2002 Captain (X) J Murchie RFA appointed as Commanding Officer. The ship was at Plymouth
29 September 2002 at Augusta and Captain (X) R L Williams RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
28 October 2002 to 2 November 2002 berthed at Barcelona
15 December 2002 at DM Crombie
15 January 2003 at DM Crombie
18 January 2003 deployed on Operation Telic – the 2nd Gulf War – along with 13 other RFA’s with 4 x Merlin helicopters from No. 814 NAS embarked
26 April 2003 Captain (X) J Murchie RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
2 May 2003 to 8 May 2003 berthed at Gibraltar
18 May 2003 returned to Crombie on completion of Operation Telic duties
2003 following participation in Operation Telic her ensign was presented to the Borough of Barnsley and this is displayed in the foyer of Barnsley Town Hall
16 October 2003 at Glen Mallen
20 October 2003 Captain (X) R L Williams RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
17 November 2003 RASed HMS INVINCIBLE in the North Sea
26 January 2004 at Glen Mallen
28 August 2004 at Falmouth berthed at Dutchy Wharf
10 September 2004 while at Falmouth a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) surveyor, and a lifeboat crew member, sustained back injuries during a planned lifeboat exercise drill. The on-load release gear was operated without another check being made on the boat’s distance above the water. This resulted in the boat freefalling a distance of about 1.2m, before striking the water. The impact with the water resulted in one crewman being hospitalised due to a fractured vertebrae, and the surveyor suffering a back injury which required subsequent medical assistance
12 November 2004 at Falmouth berthed at the docks with the assistance of the Cardiff Harbour tug Hallgarth. Captain (X) William M Walworth RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
23 November 2004 sailed Falmouth with the assistance of the Cardiff Harbour tug Hallgarth.
24 November 2004 at Portland Harbour
9 January 2005 arrived at Devonport from Loch Striven
20 January 2005 completed FOST training and sailed for Portland
28 January 2005 at Glen Mallen
18 February 2005 arrived at the Clyde area to participate in Exercise JMC 051
21 February 2005 sailed Clyde area for Exercise JMC 051
11 March 2005 at DM Crombie
28 March 2005 commenced FOST tanker support
4 April 2005 completed FOST tanker support
14 April 2005 arrived Aalborg
5 May 2005 arrived at Glen Mallen
10 May 2005 sailed Glen Mallen to Loch Striven arriving the same day
11 May 2005 sailed Loch Striven
28 June 2005 took part in the International Fleet Review for Trafalgar 200 at Spithead along with RFA’s ARGUS, FORT GEORGE, ORANGELEAF (3), SIR BEDIVERE, SIR GALAHAD (2), SIR TRISTRAM and WAVE RULER (2)
12 July 2005 Temporary Acting Captain (X) Paul B Minter RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Paul B Minter RFA
20 July 2005 visited by HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
9 August 2005 arrived Loch Striven Oil fuel Depot
11 August 2005 sailed from Loch Striven Oil fuel Depot
`12 August 2005 arrived DM at Crombie
29 August 2005 sailed DM at Crombie
1 September 2005 arrived at Loch Striven Oil fuel Depot
5 September 2005 Captain (X) William M Walworth OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
3 November 2005 arrived Glen Mallen
14 November 2005 sailed Glen Mallen
2 December 2005 Captain (X) Nigel A Jones RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
1 January 2006 alongside at Bahrain
29 January 2006 Captain (X) W G Tait RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
10 February 2006 at DM Crombie
26 February 2006 Captain (X) William M Walworth OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
29 March 2006 sailed Portsmouth as part of the Aquila 06 Deployment to the Middle East led by the carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS- along with RFA’s BRAMBLELEAF(3) and DILIGENCE
17 May 2006 involved with RN and Indian Navy units in Operation Konkan, a training operation off Goa, India
13 June 2006 during Operation Aquilain the northern Indian Ocean, she conducted a fresh water RAS with the Pakistani dhow SUBHANALLAH
16 July 2006 supported Operation Highbrow – the evacuation of British nationals from the Lebanon – with the carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, the assault ship HMS BULWARK, the destroyers HMS GLOUCESTER and HMS YORK and the frigate HMS ST ALBANS
14 August 2006 at DM Crombie
30 August 2006 Captain (X) Duncan L Lamb RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
7 October 2006 in Plymouth Sound
11 October 2006 to 13 October 2006 at Cherbourg, France
19 October 2006 at Plymouth Sound
12 December 2006 with RN units involved in a search off Portland Bill, Dorset for a fisherman who had fallen overboard from a fishing vessel. Not found despite over 6 hours of searching
11 February 2007 alongside at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
1 March 2007 Captain (X) W G Tait RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
16 March 2007 at DM Crombie
1 April 2007 arrived at the Clyde area
14 May 2007 arrived at Portsmouth
18 June 2007 at Portsmouth in No: 3 basin
3 September 2007 at Portsmouth in No: 3 Basin
6 March 2008 at Portsmouth in No: 3 Basin
26 August 2008 at Portsmouth in No: 3 Basin
9 October 2008 moved from No: 3 basin, Portsmouth Dockyard to North West Wall, Portsmouth
27 October 2008 sailed under tow from Portsmouth Dockyard for a refit in Birkenhead
20 November 2008 at Birkenhead
16 January 2009 towed from Canada Dock to Cammell Laird No: 5 Dock, Birkenhead
1 February 2009 moved to Langton Dock, Birkenhead
13 April 2009 moved from Canada Dock to Cammell Laird No: 5 Dock, Birkenhead
10 September 2009 suffered a fire in a cargo store area near the engine room while under refit at Cammell Lairds – fire contained and no one was injured
12 October 2009 Captain (X) Rob W Dorey RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
1 November 2009 conducting sea trials in the Irish Sea post refit
12 November 2009 at Loch Striven and Captain (X) Paul S Whyte MBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
22 November 2009 off Crombie, River Forth
10 November 2009 while in refit at Liverpool at NE Canada Dock an employee of a Cammell Lairds supplier fell some 24 feet to his death in the engine room
12 November 2009 Captain (X) Paul S Whyte MBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
11 November 2009 sailed Liverpool after refit
12 March 2010 at Portsmouth
15 May 2010 berthed on the River Tyne
22 May 2010 at Portland
25 May 2010 Captain (X) C G Clarke MBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
11 August 2010 Captain (X) Rob W Dorey RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Rob W Dorey RFA
18 October 2010 while conducting piracy patrols as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 off the coast of Somalia the ship identified a “suspicious whaler towing a skiff”. The whaler contained a significant amount of fuel barrels and when approached by the ships helicopter, four of the nine passengers tried to hide themselves from view. Suspecting that they may have found a Pirate Action Group (PAG), Fort Victoria was granted approval to conduct a boarding by the CTF 151 Commander, Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugral, Turkish Navy. Royal Marines from the Fleet Protection Group (FPGRM) approached, the suspected pirates attempted to flee for shore but were rapidly surrounded, the Royal marines found they were carrying six AK-47s, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with four warheads and six RPG booster charges along with hand-held GPS units, mobile phones and other equipment. The nine suspects were transferred to the smaller skiff, and the Royal Marines disabled the outboard engine and gave them oars, Once they were safely ashore, the whaler was rigged with explosives and destroyed along with other confiscated pirate paraphernalia.
13 November 2010 while conducting piracy patrols as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 (Operation Ocean Shield) between the coast of Somalia and the Seychelles detected another boat with ten pirates with ammunition and ladders. The pirates admitted to throwing their firearms over the side. The pirates were returned to Somalia, the boat, ammunition and ladders were seized
8 February 2011 Captain (X) Ian N Pilling RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
27 May 2011 Temporary Acting Captain (E) Mike New RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
1 June 2011 deployed on Operation Kipion in the Persian Gulf until 20 June 2011
12 September 2011 Captain (X) Shaun Jones RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Shaun Jones RFA
12 October 2011 while conducting piracy patrols as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 (Operation Ocean Shield) off the coast of Somalia and in company with the USS De Wert (FFG45) stopped, boarded and released from the clutches of pirates who had seized the Italian bulk carrier the 56,000 ton MV Montecristo. Eleven pirates were detailed
USS De Wert (FFG45)
14 October 2011 some 200 (320km) off the coast of Somalia, together with HMS SOMERSET closed on a pirate dhow mother ship Hibid Fidi which was boarded. Four suspected pirates were detained and handed over to the Italian authorities. The genuine crew of the dhow were released
31 October 2011 anchored off Mahe, Seychelles
2 November 2011 alongside at Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
28 December 2011 alongside at Dubai
2 January 2012 sailed Dubai
10 January 2012 off Somalia forced a gang of pirates to abandon an attempt to hijack cargo ships by identifying a hijaked ship – mv Liquid Velvet – which had sailed from Somalia to act as a ‘mother ship’ by a gang of pirates. The mv Liquid Velvet returned to her anchorage off Somalia when her way was cut off when it was 90 miles off the coast.
13 January 2012 off Somalia in a join Royal Marine (from the RFA Fort Victoria) / USS Carney operation 13 suspected pirates were detained in a dhow in which a cache of weapons were discovered
© Daily Mail
28 January 2012 deployed on Operation Kipion in the Persian Gulf until 22 November 2013
5 February 2012 RASed with RFA WAVE KNIGHT (2)
23 February 2012 alongside at Port Rashid, UAE
26 February 2012 Captain I N Pilling RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
16 April 2012 RASed with USS Porter (DDG78) in the Gulf of Aden
21 April 2012 operating with USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) in the Arabian Sea
3 May 2012 members of the US Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Severn Severn (HSM-77) “Sabrehawks” from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72) with one MH-60R helicopter under the command of Lieutenant Commander Aric “Bull” Edmondson USN embarked on RFA Fort Victoria
18 June 2012 at Mina Salaman on RFA Fort Victoria when Republic of Korea Navy Rear Adm. Anho Chung, relieves Royal Thai navy Rear Adm. Tanin Likitawong, commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 as Vice Adm. John Miller, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet/Combined Maritime Forces, looks on during a change of command ceremony
27 July 2012 Fort Victoria’s adopted town – Barnsley’s Sea Cadet Unit led by their Commanding Officer rang the bell donated by the ship to the town to mark the commencement of the Olympic Games in London
2 August 2012 Temporary Acting Captain (E) Mike New RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
5 August 2012 sailed Dubai to sea
20 August 2012 Captain (X) Shaun Jones OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
24 September 2012 berthed at Dubai – and dry docked
Above six images copyright © Shaun P.Jones
28 September 2012 in the Operational Honours List of this day Captain (X) Shaun Jones RFA appointed by Her Majesty the Queen to be an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) (OBE). Chief Officer (X) Simon K Booth RFA and 1st Officer (X) Duncan K Vernoum RFA both awarded a Command Joint Operations (CJO) Commendation for OP Capri 2. 1st Officer (X) Anthony C Day RFA and Petty Officer Allister F Strachan RFA both received a Fleet Commander’s Commendation. Two of the UK embedded forces were also in receipt of awards – Major Adam Whitmarsh, Royal Marines received the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service and Lieutenant Alistair J Thompson, Royal Navy and Petty Officer (Reg) Carol Morton-Harrowsmith received a Commander Joint Operations (CJO) Commendation
RFA Fort Victoria’s embedded helicopter
RFA Fort Victoria’s embedded pilot – Lieutenant Alistair J Thompson, Royal Navy
29 November 2012 sailed from and later berthed at Dubai
3 December 2012 to 8 December 2012 off Dubai with sea trials
9 December 2012 to 10 December 2012 at Jebel Ali
11 December 2012 sailed from Jebel Ali for Djibouti
15 December 2012 to 19 December 2012 berthed at Djibouti
20 December 2012 to 27 December 2012 at sea supporting Coalition Navies (Kipion Ready Tanker)
27 December 2012 to 2 January 2013 berthed at Fujairah
3 January 2013 at sea supporting Coalition Navies (Kipion Ready Tanker)
5 January 2013 RASed with USS Jason Dunham (DDG109)
17 January 2013 to 21 January 2013 berthed at Bahrain
22 January 2013 to 27 January 2013 at sea supporting Coalition Navies (Kipion Ready Tanker)
28 January 2013 berthed at Jebel Ali
29 January 2013 to 7 February 2013 at sea supporting Coalition Navies (Kipion Ready Tanker)
8 February 2013 to 28 February 2013 berthed at Al Hadd, Muharrag, Bahrain
28 February 2013 Captain (X) Kevin D Rimell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
2 March 2013 at sea supporting Coalition Navies (Kipion Ready Tanker)
April 2013 became the seagoing headquarters of Rear Admiral Giam Hock Koon of the Republic of Singapore Navy and his command staff of Commbined Task Force CTF151 for three months
10 April 2013 RASed with USS Kearsarge (LHD3)
RFA Fort Victoria about to RAS with USS Kearsarge (LHD3)
18 April 2013 berthed alongside at Salalah
26 May 2013 berthed alongside at Jebel Ali
26 June 2013 RASed with USS Gonzales (DDG66) in the Indian Ocean
USS Gonzalez (DDG66) RASes with RFA Fort Victoria
13 July 2013 RASed with HMAS NEWCASTLE in the Gulf of Aden
HMAS Newcastle RASing with RFA Fort Victoria © Commonwealth of Australia
24 July 2013 sailed Dubai, United Arab Emirates
28 July 2013 Captain (X) Shaun P Jones OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
30 July 2013 alongside at Port Rashid, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
13 August 2013 in the Arabian Sea RASed with HMAS NEWCASTLE
1 September 2013 sailed Jebel Ali
4 September 2013 berthed at Mina Salman, Bahrain
15 September 2013 berthed at Djibouti
22 October 2013 in the Indian Ocean and with HMAS MELBOURNE and the South Korean destroyer ROKS Wang Geon effected the detention of nine pirates in two boats together with their equipment
22 November 2013 – arrived at Port Said – northbound
30 November 2013 anchored in Gibraltar Bay off the south arm of the Dockyard
© Captain Shaun Jones OBE RFA
3 December 2013 sailed from Gibraltar
9 December 2013 berthed at Crombie, River Forth after stopping 20 armed pirate groups and seizing more than 50 pirates having completed a 40 month deployment. Away from the UK for 1,197 days she acted as Britain’s leading warrior against 21st century piracy in the Indian Ocean
16 December 2013 sailed Crombie, River Forth
18 December 2013 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
12 January 2014 arrived at Birkenhead for refit
17 March 2014 Chief Officer (E) Geoffrey B New RFA appointed Acting Captain (E) and as Chief Engineer Officer
1 October 2014 in refit at Birkenhead
both © Captain Shaun Jones OBE RFA
11 December 2014 Captain (X) Shaun P Jones OBE RFA appointed as Commanding officer
13 January 2015 moved from Birkenhead into the River Mersey and berthed on Liverpool’s Cruise Liner terminal
17 January 2015 sailed Liverpool
19 January 2015 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
© Captain Shaun Jones OBE RFA
24 January 2015 sailed Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
27 January 2015 berthed at Garelochhead
30 January 2015 sailed Garelochhead and anchored off Gourock
31 January 2015 sailed Gourock anchorage
2 February 2015 anchored at Scapa Flow
3 February 2015 sailed Scapa Flow anchorage
4 February 2015 moored off DM Crombie, Firth of Forth
27 February 2015 sailed DM Crombie, Firth of Forth
2 March 2015 berthed DM Crombie, Firth of Forth
5 March 2015 Captain (X) Kevin D Rimell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
6 March 2015 sailed DM Crombie, Firth of Forth
17 March 2015 arrived at Plymouth Sound
18 March 2015 sailed from Plymouth Sound
24 March 2015 berthed at Loch Striven
28 March 2015 sailed Loch Striven
2 April 2015 arrived at Plymouth Sound
14 April 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
16 April 2015 at Plymouth Sound
19 April 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
22 April 2015 at Plymouth Sound
23 April 2015 sailed Plymouth Sound
29 April 2015 arrived at Plymouth Sound
30 April 2015 sailed from Plymouth Sound
2 May 2015 arrived DM at Crombie, Fife
RFA Fort Victoria alongside at DM Crombie
5 May 2015 Captain (E) Peter R Dear RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
14 May 2015 sailed DM Crombie
16 May 2015 off the North Foreland light sailing south
25 May 2015 deployed on Operation Kipion in the Persian Gulf until 2 April 2016
5 June 2015 berthed at Dubai
3 July 2015 Captain Stephen J Norris RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
17 July 2015 RASed with RFA CARDIGAN BAY off Djibouti
15 August 2015 RFA FORT VICTORIA acknowledged the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day
9 October 2015 Captain (X) Kevin D Rimell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
16 October 2015 Captain (E) Michael G New RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
1 November 2015 berthed at Duqum, Oman
7 November 2015 berthed at Dubai
20 November 2015 at Oman
1 December 2015 berthed at Bahrein
4 December 2015 RASed with USS Kearsarge (LHD3) supplying 541,000 gallons of diesel and 138,500 gallons of aviation fuel
USS Kearsarge (LHD3) approaching RFA FORT VICTORIA
USS Kearsarge (LSD3) RASing with RFA FORT VICTORIA
23 December 2015 berthed at Dubai
28 December 2015 sailed from Dubai
14 January 2016 sailed Duqm
22 January 2016 berthed at Fujairah
26 January 2016 sailed Fujairah
22 February 2016 Captain Stephen Norris RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
27 February 2016 berthed at Dubai
9 March 2016 Leading Air Engineering Technician (LAET) Callum Onions, one of the embarked Royal Navy team, was recognised for his ability to operate in the absence of his Senior Rate on RFA Fort Victoria with an Endeavour Award by stepping up to the mark to ensure no loss of capability was encountered by the Ship’s command team. The award was made by Lieutenant Commander Chris Roberts Royal Navy at HMS CULDROSE
2 April 2016 arrived at Suez. After transitting the Suez Canal sailed from Port Said
3 April 2016 Captain (E) Michael S Hill RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
21 April 2016 berthed at Piraeus, Greece
27 April 2016 sailed from Piraeus, Greece – for Hyperlink see HERE
8 May 2016 berthed at Souda Bay, Crete
12 May 2016 arrived at Port Said and deployed on Operation Kipion in the Persian Gulf until 14 July 2017
14 May 2016 the ships crew carried out a mammoth charity row to raise money for those in need while transiting the Suez Canal – a distance of 164 kilometers. 3rd Officer Drew Arnold created a challenge to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières.
The Ship took 11 hours 41 minutes to transit the Canal and so the challenge was to row 164km in less time. All elements of the Ship’s Company were represented including the RFA, Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF), the Fleet Electronic Warfare Support Group (FEWSG) and 45 Commando Force Protection took up this daunting challenge.
Due to rising temperatures the marathon row started at 8.00 am with three teams of four people, rowing for one hour at a time. What made this challenge even tougher was the fact that there was only one rowing machine so the volunteers had to work throughout the day, including the hottest period from mid-morning to late afternoon.The row was successfully completed, with the crew finishing the 164 km in 11 hours 14 minutes, 27 minutes ahead of the Ship’s Suez transit time. So far in excess of £300 has been raised for Médecins Sans Frontières
14 May 2016 arrived at Suez
22 May 2016 arrived at Fujairah
27 May 2016 sailed Fujairah
10 June 2016 sailed from Fujairah
11 June 2016 arrived at Duqm
15 June 2016 arrived at Duqm
18 June 2016 sailed Duqm
1 July 2016 Captain (X) Kevin D Rimmell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
19 July 2016 Captain (E) Michael S Hill RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
4 August 2016 sailed Dubai arriving at Fujairah later in the day
5 August 2016 sailed Fujairah
6 August 2016 arrived at Duqm
9 August 2016 sailed Duqm
22 August 2016 arrived at Fujairah
23 August 2016 sailed from Fujairah
24 October 2016 sailed Dubai
27 October 2016 arrived at Fujairah
28 October 2016 sailed from Fujairah
16 November 2016 Captain (X) Robert H Allan OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
16 December 2016 arrived at Fujairah
20 February 2017 berthed at Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE
13 March 2017 in the Arabian Sea working with USS Laboon (DDG58) a stateless dhow was tracked and stopped and 278 kilograms of pure uncut heroin was seized. The seizure was worth about £40 million
USS Laboon (DDG58)
The dhow being boarded
4 May 2017 Captain (X) Kevin D Rimell RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
23 May 2017 berthed at Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE
29 May 2017 sailed from Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE
26 June 2017 Captain (E) Craig A Holden RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
30 June 2017 sailed from Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE
21 July 2017 off Crete
23 August 2017 berthed at the oil fuel depot at Loch Striven
4 September 2017 at sea off the Island of Anglesea. Later berthing at Cammel Laird, Birkenhead to transform her into a double-hull tanker; although this will reduce her oil cargo carrying capacity it will improve her MARPOL compliance. Her RAS handling will be improved to make her compatible with the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
7 November 2017 Captain (E) David A Wardell RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
1 July 2018 Captain (E) Ian Cairns RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
27 July 2018 Captain (X) Robert G Anders RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
26 October 2018 sailed from Birkenhead commence post-refit sea trials in the Irish Sea
28 October 2018 anchored at the Liverpool Anchorage
29 October 2018 sailed Liverpool Anchorage
30 October 2018 berthed at Garelochhead Oil Fuel Depot
14 December 2018 sailed from the Garelochhead Oil Fuel Depot
RFA Fort Victoria passing under the Forth Rail Bridge
courtesy of RFA Nostalgia with thanks
19 December 2018 berthed at the DM facility, Crombie, River Forth
11 February 2019 sailed from Crombie, River Forth
15 February 2019 arrived at Faslane
2 March 2019 arrived at Campbeltown Anchorage
5 March 2019 berthed at Garelochhead
16 March 2019 sailed from Garelochhead for Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot arriving the same day
27 March 2019 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
31 March 2019 arrived at Plymouth Sound and made fast to “C” buoy
RFA Tideforce and RFA Fort Victoria in Plymouth Sound
courtesy of RFA Nostalgia with thanks
8 April 2019 sailed from Plymouth
12 April 2019 arrived at Portland
23 April 2019 sailed from Portland
26 April 2019 arrived at Plymouth Sound berthing on C Buoy
29 April 2019 sailed from Plymouth Sound (C Buoy) to sea
3 May 2019 RASed with RFA TIDESURGE (2)
4 May 2019 anchored in Plymouth Sound
12 May 2019 arrived at Gibraltar
RFA Fort Victoria arriving at Gibraltar
© MOD
15 May 2019 a working party from the ship attended North Front Cemetery, Gibraltar to maintain the grave of Able Seaman Morris Ellis, Albert Medal who was killed while gallantly saving the life of the Bosun of RFA Wave Commander in 1950
16 May 2019 sailed from Gibraltar
18 May 2019 passed La Coruña
19 May 2019 arrived at Plymouth Sound and made fast to ‘C’ Buoy
3 June 2019 sailed from Plymouyth
5 June 2019 anchored in the big ships anchorage at Stokes Bay sailed later in the day
7 Jun 2019 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
25 Jun 2019 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
27 June 2019 arrived at Plymouth Sound
6 July 2019 sailed from Plymouth
8 July 2019 berthed at Birkenhead
13 January 2020 sailed from Birkenhead
18 January 2020 berthed at Glen Mallen
24 January 2020 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
26 January 2020 berthed at Devonport Dockyard
27 February 2020 moved from Devonport Dockyard to Plymouth Sound
9 March 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
13 March 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘C’ Buoy
2 April 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound returning later the same day making fast to ‘C’ Buoy
3 April 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
5 April 2020 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
16 April 2020 berthed at Devonport Dockyard
9 May 2020 sailed from Devonport Dockyard to Plymouth Sound making fast to ‘D’ Buoy
15 May 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound from the sea and made fast to ‘D’ Buoy
18 May 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
22 May 2020 berthed at Portland Port
29 May 2020 sailed from Portland Port
31 May 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound from sea and made fast to ‘D’ Buoy
1 June 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea returning later the same day and again berthing on ‘D’ buoy
12 June 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound
13 June 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound from sea and made fast to ‘D’ Buoy
16 June 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
19 June 2020 berthed at Devonport
22 June 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
25 June 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound
26 June 2020 berthed at Portland Port
29 June 2020 sailed from Portland Port
2 July 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound from the sea making fast to ‘C’ Buoy
6 July 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
7 July 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound from the sea making fast to ‘C’ Buoy
31 July 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
5 August 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound to the sea
7 August 2020 refuelled a 846 Squadron Merlin helicopter
12 August 2020 berthed at Portland Port
17 August 2020 sailed from Portland Port later anchoring at the NAB anchorage the same day
20 August 2020 berthed at Portland Port
24 August 2020 sailed from Portland Port
28 August 2020 berthed at Plymouth Sound on ‘C’ buoy
1 September 2020 sailed from Plymouth Sound
5 September 2020 berthed at the NAD at Crombie
23 September 2020 sailed from the NAD at Crombie
Passed under the Forth Bridge when outbound from NAD Crombie
3 October 2020 RASed with RFA TIDEFORCE
5 October 2020 in the North Sea off Scotland engaged with RFA TIDEFORCE supporting HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, HMS DEFENCER, HMS DIAMOND, HMS KENT, HMS NORTHUMBERLAND, USS The Sullivans and HNLMS Evertsen in Exercise Joint Warrior
7 October 2020 RASed with HMS Queen Elizabeth
15 October 2020 RASed with USS The Sullivans (Solid State)
17 October 2020 arrived at Plymouth Sound
25 January 2021 sailed from Plymouth Sound to sea
29 January 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
1 February 2021 sailed from Portland Port
5 February 2021 berthed at Portland Port
8 February 2021 sailed from Portland Port
23 February 2021 berthed at Portland Port
1 March 2021 sailed from Portland Port
4 March 2021 berthed at Portland Port
18 March 2021 sailed from Plymouth
19 March 2021 berthed at Portland Port
4 April 2021 sailed from Portland Port
7 April 2021 berthed at the DM pier, Crombie
23 April 2021 sailed from DM Pier, Crombie,
25 April 2021 berthed at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
27 April 2021 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot arriving later the same day at the Gareloch
1 May 2021 sailed from the Gareloch
7 May 2021 berthed at Portland Port
10 May 2021 at Portland Port fire broke out onboard. Four of the crew were injured. Fire applicances and Ambulances attended. The fire was extinguished.
Fire appliances and Ambulances on the jetty alongside RFA FORT VICTORIA © Dorset Echo newspaper
23 May 2021 sailed from Portland port
26 May 2021 RASed with ESPS Meddez Nuñes during Exercise Steadfast Defender
30 May 2021 passed Gibraltar sailing east bound
9 June 2021 berthed at Messina, Sicily
16 June 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
22 June 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
25 June 2021 berthed at Limassol, Cyprus
4 July 2021 sailed from Limassol, Cyprus
6 July 2021 transitted the Suez Canal into the Red Sea
16 July 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
18 July 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
28 July 2021 Stores RAS with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
2 August 2021 berthed at Guam
20 August 2021 arrived at Yokosuka, Japan
22 August 2021 sailed from Yokosuka, Japan
23 August 2021 RASed with HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
24 August 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
1 September 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
8 September 2021 berthed at Guam
7 October 2021 RASed with RFA TIDESPRING (2)
10 October 2021 arrived at Sembawang
12 October 2021 sailed from Sembawang
2 November 2021 berthed at Dqum, Oman
7 November 2021 sailed from Dqum, Oman
16 November 2021 transitting the Suez Canal
24 November 2021 berthed at Grand Harbour, Malta sailing the same day
27 November 2021 arrived at Gibraltar
4 December 2021 sailed from Gibraltar
8 December 2021 anchored off Portland Port
15 January 2022 berthed at Devonport
11 February 2022 sailed from Devonport to sea
28 February 2022 arrived at Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
15 March 2022 sailed from Loch Striven Oil Fuel Depot
17 March 2022 berthed at Devonport
8 May 2022 sailed from Plymouth to sea
9 May 2022 at Liverpool Anchorage
13 May 2022 berthed at Birkenhead
Notes:
The Navy had a requirement for at least 4 of this Class of ship and had originally hoped to have 6 of them but Defence Budgets reduced the Class to just 2. FORT VICTORIA was built in 29 sections