RFA Lyme Bay returns to fleet

13th March 2018 - 14:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The Royal Fleet Auxiliary's (RFA's) Lyme Bay has been accepted back into the fleet after completing a refit, re-store and sea trials, the navy announced on 8 March.

Since leaving its homeport of Falmouth, Lyme Bay has undergone safety and readiness checks for aviation, machinery breakdown drills, damage control, fire-fighting and administrative checks.

To prove its aviation capability, the amphibious ship embarked an 815 NAS Wildcat helicopter, based at RNAS Yeovilton. The bridge and aviation teams successfully tested their ability to safely operate helicopters.

The vessel’s enhanced capabilities will be tested for the first time during the four weeks of sea training (OST), which is scheduled to be completed at the end of March. This will be followed by Exercise Joint Warrior 18 off the west coast of Scotland in April.

Cpt Jed MacAnley, Commanding Officer of the RFA, said: ‘Following our drydocking and refit in 2017, together with the hard work and preparations by the ship’s company, Lyme Bay is ready for OST. On successful completion, we will resume our duties delivering global maritime operational support to the Royal Navy and our coalition partners wherever and whenever required.’