RFA Fort Victoria, RFA Wave Knight Exercise in Indian Ocean

Tanker RFA Wave Knight and pirate-busting stores ship RFA Fort Victoria joined forces this week to exercise together in the Indian Ocean. The two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships spent 24 hours in company with each other as they supported the ongoing naval effort to protect maritime trade east of Suez.

‘Floating warehouse’ RFA Fort Victoria, commanded by Capt Shaun Jones, and large tanker Wave Knight, commanded by Captain Chris Clarke, met earlier this week under glorious blue skies and tropical sunshine as the latter ship provided stores to frigate HMS Somerset.

After exchanging greetings via signal flags and flashing light, they then continued on a joint patrol, stopping briefly to investigate a fishing dhow returning home with its catch, until the next morning when Fort Victoria transferred stores to Wave Knight.

‘Fort Vic’ is currently attached to NATO’s Operation Shield which is keeping piracy in check in the Indian Ocean. The ship has scored several successes catching and deterring the modern-day buccaneers this autumn.

On completion of the transfer, the two ships engaged in close manoeuvre exercises whilst the embarked Royal Marines boarding teams practised their boarding drills under the watchful eye of the Royal Navy’s Capt Gerry Northwood who’s in charge of the counter-piracy effort on Fort Vic.

Wave Knight performed a high-speed pass down the Fort Victoria’s port side, responding to the Victorians’ flag signal of ‘Merry Xmas’ with her own ‘Happy 2012’.

Capt Jones said:

“It is vital that we fully utilise these opportunities to hone our skills in replenishment and Officer of the Watch manoeuvres.

“Operating large ships in very close proximity is a very enjoyable but a hard-earned skill and it is vital that we train our young officers for the future.

“The meet also provided a welcome chance for many good friends to wave and say hello – albeit at 40 metres!”

The two ships then parted company and continued on their separate missions.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff , December 23, 2011; Image: royalnavy