Earlier this week RFA Stirling Castle, which belonged to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), became HMS Stirling Castle of the Royal Navy. This is not the first time this has happened in the two services’ history, but it’s rare. It also has a significance that goes beyond the abbreviation reshuffle.
The first and most obvious thing to note is that this change has come about because the RFA – the civilian-manned flotilla which provides auxiliary vessels to support the RN – has found itself unable to crew the Stirling Castle. This reflects the parlous condition of the RFA. Of the 11 ships currently belonging to that service, around four can actually put to sea. The only Fleet Solid Support ship we have – RFA Fort Victoria – is alongside with no known repair timeline. As a Carrier Strike Group without a solid support ship is semi-crippled, our carrier HMS Prince of Wales, deployed at the moment to the Pacific, is getting that vital support from a Norwegian vessel.
Will Fort Victoria ever return to service? Well, she “could be saved with very deep pockets” was the word from someone serving.
Another vital vessel is RFA Argus, which fulfils two important functions. As essentially a small helicopter carrier, she can be used for flight training or as a seagoing base for helicopters. She also has a 100-bed medical complex aboard, and is our best option as a casualty receiving ship. That’s a hospital ship, in other words, but designated hospital ships are subject to various restrictions and requirements under the laws of war so we do not declare her as one. Argus is now in such a state that special dispensation was required for her to move berths in Portsmouth Harbour, much less sail her to somewhere she can be repaired.
Earlier this week RFA Stirling Castle, which belonged to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), became HMS Stirling Castle of the Royal Navy. This is not the first time this has happened in the two services’ history, but it’s rare. It also has a significance that goes beyond the abbreviation reshuffle.
The first and most obvious thing to note is that this change has come about because the RFA – the civilian-manned flotilla which provides auxiliary vessels to support the RN – has found itself unable to crew the Stirling Castle. This reflects the parlous condition of the RFA. Of the 11 ships currently belonging to that service, around four can actually put to sea. The only Fleet Solid Support ship we have – RFA Fort Victoria – is alongside with no known repair timeline. As a Carrier Strike Group without a solid support ship is semi-crippled, our carrier HMS Prince of Wales, deployed at the moment to the Pacific, is getting that vital support from a Norwegian vessel.
Will Fort Victoria ever return to service? Well, she “could be saved with very deep pockets” was the word from someone serving.
Another vital vessel is RFA Argus, which fulfils two important functions. As essentially a small helicopter carrier, she can be used for flight training or as a seagoing base for helicopters. She also has a 100-bed medical complex aboard, and is our best option as a casualty receiving ship. That’s a hospital ship, in other words, but designated hospital ships are subject to various restrictions and requirements under the laws of war so we do not declare her as one. Argus is now in such a state that special dispensation was required for her to move berths in Portsmouth Harbour, much less sail her to somewhere she can be repaired.