The Cod Wars, which have also been called the Iceland Cod Wars, were a series of confrontations between 1958 and 1976 between the United Kingdom and Iceland over fishing rights around the coast of Iceland.
The Cod Wars, which have also been called the Iceland Cod Wars, were a series of confrontations between 1958 and 1976 between the United Kingdom and Iceland over fishing rights around the coast of Iceland.
There were basically three confrontations which have become known as the 1st Cod War, the 2nd Cod War and the 3rd Cod War and ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary were deployed in support of the Royal Navy in each.
Icelandic Coast Guard Ship Odin and HMS Scylla
Each confrontation involved the Icelandic Government’s decision to extend fishing limits over the seas round their country.
The 2nd Cod War
1 September 1972 to 13 November 1973
The following RFA’s were deployed to support the Royal Navy off the coast of Iceland during Operation Dewey – the 2nd Cod War:-
RFA Blue Rover
RFA Green Rover
RFA Grey Rover
RFA Olmeda
RFA Olna (3)
RFA Olwen (2)
RFA Orangeleaf (2)
RFA Tidepool
RFA Tidereach
RFA Wave Chief
Other ships of the RFA were deployed off Iceland in support of Royal Naval ships on dates outside of those determined as the Cod Wars.