RFA Sir Galahad (1)
Reproduced with permission of the MOD
Official Number: 309790
Class: SIR LANCELOT CLASS Landing Ship Logistics
Pennant No: L3005
Laid down: 22 February 1965
Builder: Alexander Stephen & Sons
Launched: 19 April 1966
Into Service: 17 December 1966
Out of service: 8 June 1982 destroyed during Falklands War
Fate: Sunk as a war grave
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: In December 1961 the following announcement was made: War Office Military Supply Ship: “A 6000t ocean-going twin screw military supply vessel has been ordered by the MOT from the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd at Govan, who are to develop the final specifications of the ship, which is expected to cost about £1million. Building will start around February 1962 and the ship is expected to be in service late in 1963 or early in 1964. The design calls for a fast troop and vehicle carrier capable of discharging onto beaches. She will have bow and stern loading facilities for tanks and military vehicles, ramp loading hatches, cargo handling cranes and provision for carrying and launching pontoons. A helicopter will be carried aft, and on completion she will have a Merchant Navy crew and will be managed by the British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd” In March 1963 it was announced that tenders were to be invited for a further two vessels at a cost of £2 million each and all 3 would then replace 13 former Tank Landing Ships and would be part of an eventual Class of 5 or 6 ships, all of which would be named after Knights of the Round Table. The final 3 vessels were ordered in April 1965, and in December 1968 it was announced that as from January 1970, the management of these 6 vessels, as well as that of 1 ex-LST, would be transferred to the RFA
22 February 1965 laid down as LSL 02
19 April 1966 launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse as Yard Nr: 690 named SIR GALAHAD (1) for the Ministry of Transport
17 December 1966 completed and placed under management of British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd., London
Sir Galahad (1), before RFA service, in BI colours
27 April 1968 sailed Bangkok for Singapore with 54 Squadron Royal Engineers and their equipment onboard after building the Loeng Nok Tha to Ban Nong Phok Road
29 June 1968 together with mv Sir Lancelot (before RFA service), HMS INTREPID, two SRN6 hovercraft, 10,000 members of the Armed Forces and 100 Aircraft involved in Exercise Lath on the East Coast of Malaysia
29 August 1968 was the first ship to berth at the Penang Port Commission’s new deep water wharves at Butterworth to load a Royal Navy Buccaneer Aircraft to be taken to RAF Changi, Singapore for repairs. The aircraft had come from HMS HERMES
17 December 1968 in Singapore Roads
31 December 1968 berthed at Singapore Docks
28 May 1969 in Penang Roads
18 June 1969 in Singapore Roads
7 March 1970 management transferred to the RFA
8 March 1970 at Singapore
17 March 1970 Captain Richard Thorn RFA appointed as Captain
31 March 1970 in the Western Roads at Singapore
7 June 1970 at Singapore
19 June 1970 in the Western Roads at Singapore
23 September 1970 sailed Singapore for Calcutta with members of the Commonwealth Expedition Comex 4 as passengers
2 October 1970 berthed alongside at Penang Harbour
21 October 1970 in the Western Roads at Singapore
19 November 1970 to 11 December 1970 humanitarian assistance – was part of Operation Burlap – the U.K. military relief operation to East Pakistan following extensive damage and flooding caused by a cyclone along with HM ships TRIUMPH, INTREPID and HYDRA and RFA’s RESOURCE, OLWEN(2) and STROMNESS. Chief Officer David F Freeman RFA from RFA SIR GALAHAD (1) was awarded a Commander Far East Fleet’s Commendation for his efficiency, zeal and selfless devotion to duty
6 January 1971 at Singapore
25 January 1971 her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her
17 March 1971 Captain Richard Thorn RFA appointed as Master
4 May 1971 the Thai cargo ship Pichai Samut exploded off Singapore. The Shell tanker Hyria and Sir Galahad searched for survivors – 14 crew members of the Pichai Samut were rescued and landed at Singapore
21 June 1972 at Scapa Flow engaged in Exercise Strength Trial together with five warships including HMS’s ARK ROYAL and ALBION
13 July 1972 sailed Malta for Marchwood
19 October 1972 arrived at Malta
2 October 1973 arrived at Malta from Cyprus with RFA Sir Lancelot. Both ships carried members of 41 Commando, Royal Marines
25 July 1974 arrived at Malta from Gibraltar to load stores
3 August 1974 sailed from Malta
10 May 1974 entered Chatham Dockyard from the River Medway
1 September 1975 at Plymouth
8 November 1975 at Singapore
16 December 1975 at Hong Kong
2 August 1976 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
August 1976 Captain A S McWilliam RFA in command
Captain A S McWilliam RFA
23 December 1976 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
8 February 1977 at Liverpool
3 March 1977 at Liverpool
March 1977 Captain David R Thompson RFA in command
20 July 1978 entered the River Tyne
30 January 1980 at Marchwood Military Port
1 July 1980 at Newcastle upon Tyne
17 July 1980 at Newcastle upon Tyne
17 July 1981 at Portsmouth
16 December 1981 at Marchwood Military Port
3 April 1982 arrived Devonport to discharge her ex-Norwegian exercises cargo
6 April 1982 sailed Devonport for service during Operation Corporate – the Falklands Conflict – with 350 Royal Marines and 3 Gazelle helicopters from 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron embarked
7 April 1982 the Amphibious Landing Group assembled at sea. The other ships involved were RFA’s SIR LANCELOT, SIR GERAINT, SIR PERCIVALE and PEARLEAF (2).and were escorted by the LPD HMS FEARLESSand the frigates HMS ALACRITY and HMS ANTELOPE
19 April 1982 the Group arrived Ascension Island
29 April 1982 sailed Ascension Island in company with RFA‘s SIR GERAINT, SIR LANCELOT, SIR PERCIVALE, SIR TRISTRAM and PLUMLEAF(2) and HM ships FEARLESS, INTREPID and ANTELOPE
8 May 1982 entered the TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands
21 May 1982 entered San Carlos Water with the Amphibious Landing Group
24 May 1982 was hit by a 1000 lb bomb in San Carlos Water which did not explode
26 May 1982 the unexploded bomb was successfully removed
1 June 1982 returned to full operational service
8 June 1982 sailed San Carlos Water in the early morning for Fitzroy Creek
8 June 1982 was again bombed by Argentinian Skyhawk aircraft at Port Pleasant, Fitzroy Creek and was seriously damaged by three bombs. One bomb went through the open upper deck hatch and deflagrated, causing a massive fireball which swept through the tank deck causing heavy casualties amongst the embarked Welsh Guards who were billeted there. The second bomb exploded in the galley area, killing the butcher and the third one burst in the engine room, killing the Third Engineer Officer and trapping others in the thick smoke which resulted. Sea King HAS1 helicopter No: XV654 used to rescue troops from the ship. The fires aboard raged for over a week. The wounded were transferred to the LPD HMS INTREPID and then to the Hospital Ship UGANDA which was anchored in Grantham Sound
(Memorial on a seat beside the Scott Monument, East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh)
11 June 1982 the remainder of her Ship’s Company were transferred to STUFT ATLANTIC CAUSEWAY for onward movement to the STUFT BP tanker BRITISH TEST which transported them to Ascension Island arriving on 23 June 1982 from where they were flown back to RAF Brize Norton in the U.K
25 June 1982 was towed out to sea by the tug RMAS TYPHOON and was torpedoed and sunk by HMS/m ONYX off the Falkland Islands as a war grave at 50°12’ S, 56° 46’ W
RFA Sir Galahad (1) under tow by RMAS Typhoon to be sunk as a war grave
The ship is designated a Protected wreck under the Protection of Military Remains Act. and the following died on board in the attack: –
Sir Galahad Crew
2nd Engineer Officer Paul Anderson Henry, GM
3rd Engineer Officer Andrew J. Morris
3rd Engineer Officer Christopher F. Hailwood
Electrical Fitter Leung Chau.
Butcher Sung Yuk Fai
1st Battalion Welsh Guards
Lance Corporal Anthony Burke
Lance Seargeant James R. Carlyle
Guardsman Raymond G. Thomas
Lance Corporal Stephen J. Newbury
Guardsman Ian A. Dale
Guardsman Michael Dunphy
Guardsman Peter Edwards
Sergeant Clifford Elley
Guardsman Mark Gibby
Guardsman Glenn C. Grace
Guardsman Paul Green
Guardsman Gareth M. Griffiths
Guardsman Denis N. Hughes
Guardsman Gareth Hughes
Guardsman Brian Jasper
Guardsman Anthony Keeble
Lance Sergeant Kevin Keoghane
Guardsman Michael J. Marks
Guardsman Christopher Mordecai
Guardsman Gareth D. Nicholson
Guardsman Colin C. Parsons
Guardsman Eirwyn J. Phillips
Guardsman Gareth W. Poole
Guardsman Nigel A. Rowberry
Lance Corporal Phillip A.Sweet
Guardsman Glyn K. Thomas
Lance Corporal Nicholas D. M. Thomas
Guardsman Andrew Walker
Lance Corporal Christopher F. Ward
Guardsman James F. Weaver
Sergeant Malcolm Wigley
Guardsman David R. Williams
Army Catering Corps
Lance Corporal Barry C. Bullers
Private Albert M. Connett
Private M. Anthony Jones
Private Richard W. Middlewick
Royal Army Medical Corps
Lance Corporal Ian R. Farrell
Major Roger Nutbeem
Private Kenneth Preston
Royal Engineers
Corporal Andrew G. McIllvenny
Sapper Wayne D. Tabard
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Craftsman Mark W. Rollins
Lance Corporal Anthony R. Streatfield
Notes:
1. Was named after one of the 35 Knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend who managed to pull the sword Excalibur out of a stone and who, along with Sir Percival and Sir Bors, was one of the achievers of the Holy Grail. He was the son of Sir Lancelot.
2. Her bell was recovered by RMAS TYPHOON and after being on display at South Shields Marine and Technical College for a while, it was handed over to the Falkland Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College in Berkshire for permanent exhibition in a chapel there
RFA Sir Galahad 2
Subsequent name: Garcia D’Avila
Official Number: 713026
Class: Landing Ship Logistics
Pennant No: L3005
Laid down: 12 July 1985
Builder: Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd, Wallsend
Launched: 13 December 1986
Into Service: 25 November 1987
Out of service: Into reserve 20 July 2007
Fate: Sold out of service
Items of historic interest involving this ship: –
Background Data: She was ordered in 1984 as a replacement for the earlier ship of the same name which had been sunk as a War Grave after the 1982 Falklands Conflict. She differed from the earlier LSL’s in as much as she was fitted with a bow visor instead of the conventional side-opening bow doors like the remainder of the LSL’s and a 22 tonne capacity scissor lift amidships
6 December 1984 ordered
13 December 1986 launched by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd, Wallsend as Yard Nr: 125 named SIR GALAHAD (2). The Lady Sponsor was Lady Lola Tippet, wife of Vice Admiral Sir Anthony S Tippet KCB, the Chief of Fleet Support
10 July 1987 commenced her sea trials in preparation for a scheduled handover in 9/87
22 July 1987 returned to the River Tyne after running sea trials
25 November 1987 finally completed at a cost of £39.9m (source of cost – MOD contract price)
27 November 1987 delivered
3 December 1987 maiden arrival at Marchwood Military Port
21 May 1988 entered operational service
31 August 1988 until 21 September 1988 together with all the other LSL’s with the exception of RFA SIR LANCELOT was involved in Exercise Teamwork 88
7 December 1988 was presented with the Falkland Islands 1982 Battle Honour at Marchwood
13 July 1989 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
25 August 1989 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
12 June 1990 berthed on the River Tyne
28 August 1990 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
6 September 1990 her deployment to the Persian Gulf Area was authorised, along with that of RFA SIR TRISTRAM, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
28 September 1990 sailed for Germany to embark units of the 7th Armoured Brigade for deployment to the Persian Gulf
8 October 1990 sailed Marchwood for deployment during Operation Granby – the Gulf War
9 November 1990 at Jebel Ali embarked the Fleet Support Unit and sailed in support of the British Mine Countermeasure vessels
1991 was awarded the Kuwait 1991 Battle Honour along with 10 other RFA‘s
9 February 1991 at sea at 24°04.5N 52°20.1E MM1 Maurice Jospeph Foy discharged dead – stabbed through the heart. His death is recorded on the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum for the 1991 listings
donated by and © Terry Hissey
21 December 1991 Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Brian J Waters OBE RFA
4 January 1992 together with RFA’s SIR GERAINT & SIR TRISTRAM sailed Devonport for Norway Exercises
20 January 1992 arrived at Portsmouth from Norway Training
1 February 1992 at Marchwood Military Port
22 March 1992 Sea King HC4 helicopter no: ZG822 – in Norway sank in snow when troop lifting — aircraft airlifted to ship and shipped to UK for repair at Yeovilton
21 April 1992 arrived at Devonport
16 July 1992 arrived Devonport
21 July 1992 Captain Peter Robinson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Peter Robinson RFA
9 September 1992 arrived Marchwood Military Port and sailed two days later
19 November 1992 arrived at Devonport and sailed on 27 November
5 January 1993 arrived at Devonport and sailed same day
16 January 1993 arrived at Devonport
28 April 1993 arrived at Devonport and sailed same day
8 June 1993 at Willemstad, Curaçao a wreath laying ceremony by Captain C A Mitchell RFA was held at Roodeweg Cemetery as a remembrance to those who lost their lives during World War II and who are buried there
15 July 1993 arrived at Devonport
24 August 1993 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
5 September 1993 arrived and sailed Devonport
30 September 1993 arrived at Marchwood Military Port
6 October 1993 sailed Marchwood Military Port
12 October 1993 berthed at Middlesborough
2 January 1994 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
6 February 1994 arrived at Devonport together with RFA’s SIR BEDIVERE and SIR TRISTRAM
7 February 1994 sailed Devonport with RFA’s SIR BEDIVERE and SIR TRISTRAM for Exercise Royal Dawn but all three ships were diverted from the Exercise to transport troops, stores and vehicles from Marchwood Military Port to Split to support UN requirements
6 April 1994 arrived at Devonport
25 April 1994 sailed from Devonport
April/May 1994 participated in Exercise Dynamic Impact 94 in the Mediterrean with RFA’s SIR GERAINT and SIR TRISTRAM
24 May 1994 at Devonport
6 June 1994 in Caen for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day celebrations along with RFA SIR BEDIVERE
9 June 1994 Captain Anthony F Pitt DSC RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Anthony F Pitt DSC RFA
11 November 1994 arrived at Devonport
24 November 1994 sailed from Devonport
24 January 1995 arrived at Devonport
13 March 1994 arrived at Marchwood Military Port
20 March 1994 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
25 March 1995 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
6 April 1995 to 23 August 1995 humanitarian aid – in support of Operation Chantress – was deployed to Lobito, Angola to provide assistance to UK elements of the United Nations Stabilisation Force
13 September 1995 sailed Devonport
19 September 1995 arrived and sailed from Millbay Docks, Plymouth
23 September 1995 arrived and sailed from Millbay Docks, Plymouth
3 November 1995 arrived at Marchwood Military Port
10 November 1995 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
12 December 1995 sailed from Devonport
22 December 1995 at Marchwood Military Port
2 January 1996 at Marchwood Military Port
20 January 1996 sailed from Marchwood Military Port for Devonport and work up
28 January 1996 sailed from Devonport
20 March 1996 arrived at Devonport
6 April 1996 Captain Pat Thompson OBE RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Pat Thompson OBE RFA
8 April 1996 arrived at Devonport
9 April 1996 sailed from Devonport
15 April 1996 berthed at Milbay Docks to load for Exercise Purple Star
16 April 1996 sailed from Milbay Docks for Exercise Purple Star
19 June 1996 at Montego Bay, Jamaica
31 July 1996 at Portsmouth
10 August 1996 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
21 August 1996 arrived at Marchwood Military Port
8 October 1996 sailed Devonport
13 January 1997 sailed U.K. as part of Task Group 327.01 – the Ocean Wave 97 Deployment – to Gibraltar, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt, India, The Maldives, South Korea and the Far East led by the carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS – along with RFA’s DILIGENCE, FORT AUSTIN, FORT GEORGE, OLNA (3), SIR GERAINT and SIR PERCIVALE
1 February 1997 transitted Suez Canal southbound
17 June 1997 visited Manila
15 July 1997 was subsequently awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace for the ships support and involvement in Operation Chantress during 1995 at Chippenham
Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA receiving the Wilkinson Sword of Peace from Rear Admiral David Snelson CB
Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA and crew members with the Wilkinkson Sword of Peace
3 December 1997 Captain William Walworth RFA appointed in command
31 December 1997 at Marchwood Military Port
January 1998 engaged in FOST
14 February 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
20 April 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
2 July 1998 berthed at Marchwood Military Port from Antwerp
22 August 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
20 October 1998 arrived at Devonport from exercises
30 September 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
31 October 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
November 1998 in JMC 983
1 December 1998 at Marchwood Military Port
19 January 1999 sailed Marchwood Military Port
31 January 1999 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
13 March 1999 at Marchwood Military Port
30 April 1999 at Marchwood Military Port
16 May 1999 sailed Devonport for Exercise Aurora in the Bristol Channel area tother with RFA SIR BEDIVERE
30 May 1999 arrived Devonport after Exercise Aurora duties
© MOD copyright
March 2000 with FOST
1 April 2000 at Marchwood Military Port
September 2000 on Argonaut 2000 deployment
11 December 2000 at Vigo, Spain
27 March 2001 at A & P Yard, Wallsend on Tyne
12 April 2001 Mr Kenneth Holder RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 May 2001 at Marchwood Military Port
June 2001 with FOST
September 2001 engaged on the Argonaut 2001 deployment together with HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, fourteen other Royal Naval Warships and RFA’s FORT VICTORIA, BAYLEAF (3), SIR TRISTRAM, SIR BEDIVERE, SIR PERCIVALE, FORT ROSALIE (2), FORT AUSTIN, OAKLEAF (2) and DILIGENCE
5 December 2001 arrived at Marchwood Military Port from Middle East deployment
31 December 2001 still at Marchwood Military Port
28 March 2002 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
31 March 2002 arrived Liverpool for a 19 day refit
14 April 2002 commenced FOST
22 April 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
28 April 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
20 June 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
5 July 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
17 August 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
26 August 2002 at Marchwood Military Port
3 September 2002 to 6 September 2002 berthed at Cartagena, Spain
25 October 2002 to 30 October 2002 berthed at Malaga, Spain
13 November 2002 Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA
15 January 2003 deployed on Operation Telic – the 2nd Gulf War – along with 13 other RFA’s
28 March 2003 humanitarian relief – arrived in the recently captured south Iraqi port of Umm Qasr in the glare of international publicity, preceded by the MCMV HMS SANDOWN and followed by USS FIREBOLT and 2 Kuwaiti patrol boats OUHA and SAMBOUX carrying 650 tonnes of aid
5 August 2003 returned to Marchwood on completion of Operation Telic duties
15 October 2003 berthed at Portsmouth. Captain (X) Paul Whyte RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
Captain (X) Paul Whyte RFA
5 January 2004 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
7 January 2004 berthed at Portland
14 January 2004 at anchor in Plymouth Sound
16 January 2004 berthed in Devonport Dockyard
30 January 2004 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
20 February 2004 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
29 March 2004 berthed at Millbay Docks, Plymouth
2 April 2004 berthed at Cardiff
21 April 2004 berthed at Portland
30 May 2004 at Norfolk Virginia
22 June 2004 together with RFA SIR TRISTRAM berthed at Morehead City NC
25 June 2004 at Mayport, Florida
20 July 2004 anchored in Plymouth Sound
20 September 2004 Captain Roger Robinson-Brown RFA appointed as Commanding Officer
23 September 2004 was awarded the Wilkinson Sword of Peace at Marchwood for her above relief work
15 November 2004 at Portland
3 December 2004 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
4 January 2005 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
26 January 2005 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
19 March 2005 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
22 March 2005 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
21 April 2005 arrived at the River Clyde for ranging on Loch Long
6 May 2005 ay “C” anchorage at Spithead
7 May 2005 anchored in Plymouth Sound
13 May 2005 berthed at Portsmouth Dockyard
21 May 2005 berthed at Gibraltar
2 June 2005 berthed at Devonport Dockyard
13 June 2005 Temporary Acting Captain (E) Mike New RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
16 June 2005 berthed at Portsmouth Dockyard
28 June 2005 took part in the International Fleet Review for Trafalgar 200 at Spithead along with RFA’s ARGUS, FORT GEORGE, FORT VICTORIA, ORANGELEAF (3), SIR BEDIVERE, SIR TRISTRAM and WAVE RULER (2)
5 July 2005 anchored in Plymouth Sound
7 July 2005 berthed at Pembroke Dock
23 July 2005 anchored at Plymouth Sound
8 August 2005 berthed at Cardiff
22 August 2005 berthed at Dartmouth
19 September 2005 sailed Marchwood Military Port
9 December 2005 anchored in Plymouth Sound
17 December 2005 arrived at Marchwood Military Port from refit in Falmouth
23 December 2005 at Marchwood Military Port
9 January 2006 sailed Marchwood Military Port for FOST
11 January 2006 on DG range at Devonport
12 January 2006 anchored in Plymouth Sound
20 January 2006 berthed at Marchwood Military Port
2 May 2006 Captain (E) Robert Settle RFA appointed as Chief Engineer Officer
3 May 2006 arrived at Marchwood Military Port
8 May 2005 sailed from Marchwood Military Port
15 May 2006 arrived Pembroke Dock for her final visit prior to disposal
17 May 2006 arrived at Devonport from Milford Haven
22 June 2006 on passage to Marchwood she provided medical assistance to the injured Captain of the Liberian registered chemical carrier LIQUID ERA
23 June 2006 arrived Marchwood for the final time
20 July 2006 sailed Marchwood for the final time and entered reserve at Portsmouth – film of her movement HERE
31 August 2006 at Portsmouth awaiting disposal
26 April 2007 announcement made that she had been purchased by the Brazilian Navy for £5.2 million pounds
13 November 2007 delivered to the Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brazil) at Portsmouth
5 December 2007 commissioned as the Brazilian Navy’s Garcia D’Avila (G 29) with Captain-of-Mar-e-Guerra Paulo Cesar Mendes Biasoli in command. The ship is the third ship in the Brazilian Navy to bear the name of Garcia D’Avila
Captain-of-Mar-e-Guerra Paulo Cesar Mendes Biasoli
3 March 2008 commenced sea trials from Portsmouth
11 April 2008 to 14 April 2008 berthed at Lisbon, Portugal
14 April 2008 sailed Lisbon on her delivery voyage to Rio de Janeiro
19 April 2008 berthed at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Isles
9 May 2008 docked at Rio de Janerio
6 March 2009 to 9 March 2009 berthed at Simonstown, South Africa in support of 3rd Sea Power for Africa Symposium
9 March 2009 to 12 March 2009 berthed at Cape Town, South Africa
26 March 2009 to 29 March 2009 visited Diego Garcia, BIOT
7 April 2009 to 9 April 2009 at Singapore
23 April 2009 took part in the China Fleet Review off Qingdao, China in celebration of the 60th anniversary of China’s PLA (Navy) – review conducted by China’s head of state – President Hu Jintao
Brazilian Navy’s NDCC Garcia D’Avila
7 September 2009 at the Naval parade commemorating Independence Day at Rio de Janeiro
8 October 2009 berthed at Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)
29 January 2010 Captain-of-Mar-e-Guerra Anderson de Oliveira Mendes appointed as Commanding Officer
28 February 2010 sailed Brazil to Haiti to bring Humanitarian Aid after the Earthquake in that Country, arriving on 22 March 2010
20 August 2010 at Rio de Janeiro after an AMP and Captain-of-Mar-e-Guerra Rene Pacheco Son appointed as Commanding Officer
23 December 2011 berthed at Rio de Janerio
8 April 2012 berthed at Rio de Janerio
30 October 2012 sailed on Exercise Haiti XV which ended on 21 December 2012
NDCC Garcia D’Avila alongside
NDCC Garcia D’Avila opening her bow doors
3 April 2013 sailed Rio de Janerio for Exercise Haiti XVI
20 May 2013 berthed at Rio de Janerio at the end of Exercise Haiti XVI
January 2014 involved in Exercise ASPIRANTEX/2014
1 December 2014 at Rio de Janerio
20 January 2015 sailed Salvador, Brazil
Notes:
1. Replaced RFA SIR CARADOC.
2. Was built as a replacement for the ship lost in the Falklands War and was named after one of the 35 Knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legend who managed to pull the sword Excalibur out of a stone and who, along with Sir Percival and Sir Bors, was one of the achievers of the Holy Grail. He was the son of Sir Lancelot