RFA Gold Rover reports for refit
11 Aug 08
RFA Gold Rover has docked in Merseyside to undergo a refit package worth £8.5m to maintain and update the ship for her role refuelling Royal Navy warships at sea.
RFA Gold Rover
[Picture: Royal Navy]
Northwestern Shiprepairers and Shipbuilders Ltd (NSL) are undertaking the work which is the first upkeep to be carried out under the MOD's new through life support contract, announced in June, when NSL was awarded maintenance of 11 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships for up to 30 years.
Along with essential maintenance and repair work, the refit encompasses a range of upgrades including a new Avon Searider rescue boat, installing an electric crane for Single Point Mooring hose recovery and replacing the diesel generators.
Commodore Dave Preston, Defence Equipment and Support's Director of Afloat Support at the MOD, said:
"One of the major benefits of the through life support contracts is that the companies gather experience of working on these ships. When Gold Rover returns here in 2011 for example, the team will know the ship. This closer working with the MOD also helps industry to gain a better understanding of our ongoing requirements."
RFA Gold Rover at NSL's yard in Merseyside
[Picture: via MOD]
The new contracting arrangement also supports the MOD's commitment to maintaining the necessary skills to support our Armed Forces in the UK by helping industry to invest over the long term in its skills base.
The ship is expected to return to the fleet towards the end of the year. RFA Fort Rosalie and RFA Fort George are also currently in refit at the Merseyside yard.
Gold Rover replenishes Royal Navy warships with fuel oil, aviation fuel, lubricants, fresh water and some dry stores while at sea. She can refuel a ship while sailing and two ships may be refuelled simultaneously. A large flight deck supports Sea King helicopters which can deliver smaller quantities of solid stores between ships.