Photo By Bill Mesta | On Tuesday 19th September 2023 HMS Prince Of Wales conducted refueling at sea (RAS)...... read more read more
ATLANTIC OCEAN (September 19, 2023)-The British Royal Navy’s largest Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) received fuel from Military Sealift Command’s fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) via underway replenishment-at-sea (UNREP), while the vessels were sailing in the Atlantic Ocean, Sept. 19.
MSC’s Combat Logistic Force vessels, like Supply, provide UNREP re-supply services to U.S. Navy and allied combatant ships at-sea, allowing these ships to remain on-station without pulling into a port for fuel, food, ammunition and repair parts.
“Allied ships refer to this evolution as replenishment-at-sea or RAS,” according to Capt. Andrew Lindey, USNS Supply’s Master. “The ability to receive fuel, stores and ordnance underway allows the warfighter to remain at sea indefinitely.”
“USNS Supply is one of only two U.S. Navy fast combat support ships that have the unique capability to provide substantial fuel, refrigerated stores, dry stores and ordnance,” Lindey added. “The ships gas turbine propulsion allows her the ability to ‘keep up’ with the warships unlike most supply vessel which are limited in speed; thus the ‘fast’ designator.”
During the 3.5-hour RAS, Prince of Wales received approximately 350,000 gallons of diesel fuel for the aircraft carrier’s propulsion plant.
“HMS Prince of Wales is a fifth-generation aircraft carrier, designed to operate a variety of aircraft from the F-35 Lighting jet to a variety of helicopters,” stated Chief Petty Officer (Seamanship Specialist) Samuel Hadcroft, HMS Prince of Wales’ Bosun. “We benefit by conducting RAS as these evolutions enable Prince of Wales to stay on task longer and enabling us to conduct whatever mission is tasked to us.”
UNREPs are challenging evolutions by nature. However, both Supply and Prince of Wales are equipped with NATO-standard fueling equipment which allows the vessels to re-supply seamlessly.
One of the challenges allied Sailors and mariners encounter is a difference in vocabulary. One of the terminology differences is the Royal Navy refers to the evolution as replenishment-at-sea (RAS) as opposed to UNREP.
“Terminology differs slightly between our two nations, but not enough to cause an issue,” according to Hadcroft. “There are some slight differences in skills and drills, the Royal Navy never pass lines under the rig, where the U.S. Navy does, but having previously RAS’d with the Americans before, we knew about this and adapted accordingly.”
Supply’s crew of Civil Service Mariners (CIVMAR) perform all functions aboard the ship to include navigation, propulsion, hotel services and food services. UNREPs are an all-hands evolution for the CIVMARs aboard Supply.
“The Engine, Supply, Deck, Communications department are all actively involved UNREPs; while Medical ‘Doc’ and the Purser play supporting roles,” said Lindey. “On the UNREP station there is a rig captain, normally a Boatswain's Mate, while all departments make up the UNREP team. The Yeomen account for the fuel and stores delivered.”
The Prince of Wales RAS Team is also made up of various crew specialties and rates.
“The Seamanship Team were on deck and on the bridge in the Tactical Control System role,” Hadcroft Stated. “We have Marine Engineers who received and check the fuel into the tanks, and the evolution includes a whole host of rates from the Captain to the lowest Able Seaman, and is very much a team effort.”
Previous to this RAS, Prince of Wales performed an UNREP with MSC’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195).
“This was the first RAS between the Prince of Wales and Supply, said Lindey and the crew did great, “Lindey stated. “The Brits are amazing seaman and as expected they did a great job.”
Hadcroft also reflected on the two crews’ performance during the RAS.
"The Prince of Wales crew performed satisfactorily; as always there are lesson identified and we always look to continue and develop our skill sets,” according to Hadcroft. “From a Deck Department prospective, the Supply performed really well, they were professional and engaging and really a pleasure to work with.”
MSC’s fleet of CLF ships provide RAS services for U.S. Navy and allies ships 24/7, around the world.
Hadcroft concluded by stating, "This was probably the most enjoyable RAS I have done to date whilst on Prince of Wales, the weather was good, the Supply was excellent and we got lots of fuel without incident; that’s always a good day in the seamanship world.”
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2023 12:42 |
| Story ID: | 454062 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 733 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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