Royal Fleet auxilliary vessels on the Mersey

After a "lengthy" refit in Cammel Lairds RFA Tidespring emerged from the yard a few days ago and now sits berthed on the CLT at Liverpool pierhead, The remaining vessels of the "Birkenhead navy" still reside in the West Float dock, Birkenhead, RFA Fort Austin and RFA Fort Rosalie. RFA Fort Victoria remains at Cammel Lairds but has moved from dry dock to the wet basin which may indicate she will be leaving soon to start supporting the new QE class carriers for which she has undergone substantial upgrades.

RFA Tidespring

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Austin

RFA Tidespring emerging from the rain

RFA Tidespring

RFA tidespring

Recent Royal Fleet Auxilliary movements on the River Mersey (the Birkenhead navy)

 A little catch up with the "Birkenhead Navy" (Royal fleet auxilliary) over the last few months

RFA Fort Rosalie Was moved from Cammel Lairds wet basin and back into West float dock, Birkenhead while undergoing her service/refit, Turned out it was to make room for RFA Tidespring which arrived a few days later to undergo work/service under the newly signed FISS contract (fleet in service support)

RFA Wave Knight also left Cammel Lairds after her refit/service and went back into service after some "minor" propulsion issues

here are some of the vessels social media pages.....

RFA Fort Victoria twitter

RFA Tidespring twitter

RFA Wave Knight twitter

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Tidespring

RFA Tidespring

RFA Tidespring

RFA Tidespring

RFA Wave Knight

RFA Wave Knight

RFA Wave Knight

RFA Fort Rosalie on the move to Cammel Lairds 8th October 2018

Royal Fleet Auxilliary fleet replenishment ship Fort Rosalie A385 was towed out of Birkenhead docks yesterday and taken to dry dock at Cammel Lairds by 4 Kotug/Smit tugs.

The vessel was "caught" by the strong currents upon exiting the lock at Alfred entrance and had to  drop an anchor to slow her swing!

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

 

RFA Fort Rosalie

 

RFA Fort Rosalie

 

RFA Fort Rosalie drops her anchor!

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie and kotug/smit Waterloo and Sandon

Birkenhead docks "visit", HMs Bronington and RFA Fort Rosalie

Quick trip to the West float again today, RFA Fort Rosalie from the other side of the dock, cargo ship Cathy Jo unloading and the continuing sad sight that is the still sunken HMS Bronington M115 in gillbrook basin, she had been like this for over  2 years now!!! WHY???? only had my phone with me so nothing great with image quality

RFA Fort Rosalie A385

HMS Bronington M1115

Cathy Jo unloading 

RFA Fort Rosalie A385

Cathy Jo and RFA Fort Rosalie in West float docks, Birkenhead

Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels in Birkenhead 11th August 2018 AKA "Birkenhead Navy"

RFA Fort Rosalie A385 and RFA Fort Austin A386 currently reside in West float dock at Birkenhead, Austin has been here since her refit/service at Cammel Lairds last year with Rosalie arriving this year for a supposed 2 year "layup". This author has "heard" that Austin might be "re-activated" at some point in 2018!!

RFA Fort Victoria A387 is in Cammel Lairds having had a major refit that includes a double hull modification to allow her to supply both fuel and dry stores/ammunition to the new QE class carriers

RFA Wave Knight A389 is also in Lairds for a regular service/refit and her sister vessel RFA Wave Ruler A390 is in Royal Seaforth dock in Liverpool for some reason!!

RFA Fort Austin A386

RFA Fort Austin A386

RFA Fort Rosalie A385

RFA Fort Rosalie A385 arrives in Birkenhead docks

The Royal fleet auxiliary vessel Fort Rosalie joined her sister ship RFA Fort Austin in Birkenhead docks today!, rumoured to be now going into "layup"!! looks like the birkenhead navy is on the up!! All three fort class vessels are now on Merseyside with Fort Victoria currently undergoing refit/modifications in Cammel Lairds

RFA Fort Austin

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA Fort Rosalie

RFA fort Rosalie on the move today, 18th June 2015

The Royal Fleet Auxilliary vessel Fort Rosalie has been moved from her long term berth in East float, Birkenhead today and is on her way to Cammel Lairds!!. She was moved "dead-ship" by 4 Smit tugs into Alfred basin to await high water.

Her sister ship fort Austin MIGHT be on her way into Lairds for service and Rosalie may well take her place in service while she undegoes service/refit??