The second-oldest vessel in the UK Naval Service, veteran tanker RFA Black Rover has completed her penultimate deployment – a marathon 17 months in the Atlantic.
After 571 days away from the UK, the veteran tanker – which celebrated her 40th birthday in September – arrived at Glen Mallan jetty in Loch Long, her mission refuelling ships done.
Black – the slightly younger of the Rover-class vessels still in active service – left Yonderberry Jetty in Plymouth in May last year, since when she’s clocked up 75,000 miles – three times around the earth.
Sixteen times British or foreign vessels have topped up their fuel tanks to support their ongoing operations: Her Majesty Ships Argyll, Richmond, Portland and Iron Duke, plus the RN’s permanent presence in the Falklands, HMS Clyde, as well as RFA Argus and Spanish ships Tornado and Rayo.
The ship has sailed as far west as the Pacific off the coast of Peru, as far south as Cumberland Bay in South Georgia and as far east as False Bay in South Africa.
She passed through the Strait of Magellan – linking the Atlantic and Pacific at the foot of the Americas – three times, the Panama Canal once, crossed the Equator on six occasions.
The 17-month tour of duty had, said the tanker’s Commanding Officer Capt Ian Pilling RFA, been “full of the unexpected.”
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Press release, Image: UK Navy