RFA Mounts Bay has completed a replenishment RAS with Dutch Warship ZrMsKarelsDman 12032023 CREDIT RFA Mounts Bay
Fuel was passed between the two ships while both were dynamically positioned, using various thrusters to stay positioned with each other (Picture: RFA Mounts Bay).
Navy

RFA Mounts Bay conducts 'unusual' replenishment at sea with Dutch navy's largest ship

RFA Mounts Bay has completed a replenishment RAS with Dutch Warship ZrMsKarelsDman 12032023 CREDIT RFA Mounts Bay
Fuel was passed between the two ships while both were dynamically positioned, using various thrusters to stay positioned with each other (Picture: RFA Mounts Bay).

RFA Mounts Bay has completed a replenishment at sea (RAS) with the Royal Netherlands Navy's largest ship, HNLMS Karel Doorman, by an "unusual method".

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship said in a tweet: "Fuel was passed between the two ships whilst both were dynamically positioned (DP), whilst simultaneously carrying out amphib and flying ops Joint Viking 23."

In response to a Twitter user asking if this was the first time it had happened, Mounts Bay responded: "Most crew have never known a DP RAS to be conducted in their careers... a rafting up (side by side) is more common, but not always practical!"

Normally in an RAS, both ships are side by side moving forwards on a set bearing but, in this case, the ships were using various thrusters to stay positioned with each other – known as dynamic positioning.

At the same time, the Dutch multi-function support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman was conducting helicopter landings.

RFA Mounts Bay was also operating a Royal Marines Landing Craft Utility (LCU) out of the dock at the stern of the ship.

Mounts Bay was recently seen crashing through huge waves as she battled a violent storm at sea on the way to Exercise Joint Viking 23.

Watch: RFA Mounts Bay battles massive waves on passage to Exercise Joint Viking 23.

A video captured by Cadet Alex Bridger and posted on Twitter showed the ship being hit by wave after wave with a large one coming right over the deck.

RFA Mounts Bay tweeted: "Many thanks to Cadet (X) Alex Bridger for sharing this dramatic footage of Mounts Bay enduring a sea state 11 on our passage to Joint Viking 23."

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