Tide Class Tankers (MARS) (RFA)

[Engaging Strategy]

For what it's worth they're very handsome ships, for tankers. Certainly better looking than poor old Orangeleaf!

[shark bait]

Second ship tiderace looks to be coming along well.

[Dave]

Second ship tiderace looks to be coming along well.

Im surprised we still haven't had any info on Tidespring leaving for the UK.

[GibMariner]

Im surprised we still haven't had any info on Tidespring leaving for the UK.

Tidespring was said to be due to arrive in the UK in "Spring 2016", if that's still the plan there's likely a few weeks left. I'm sure we'll find out whenever she does set off for home.

[Dave]

Im surprised we still haven't had any info on Tidespring leaving for the UK.

Tidespring was said to be due to arrive in the UK in "Spring 2016", if that's still the plan there's likely a few weeks left. I'm sure we'll find out whenever she does set off for home.

The original report I was thinking of was in November.

Tidespring, should be heading for home, via the Panama Canal so my spies tell me, around about now, so it might be worth a shufti at the Panama Canal webcams and of course AIS to monitor her progress.

http://www.rfa-association.org.uk/index ... oking-good

[shark bait]

Yeah cant be long now, I have seen both dates reported, I have a strong inclination the spring date is the right one

Looking out in vessel tracker every now and then, but nothing has appeared as yet; TIDESPRING -- IMO: 9655535

[GibMariner]

The original report I was thinking of was in November.

Tidespring, should be heading for home, via the Panama Canal so my spies tell me, around about now, so it might be worth a shufti at the Panama Canal webcams and of course AIS to monitor her progress.

http://www.rfa-association.org.uk/index ... oking-good

Yes, that link is also on a previous page on this thread but was inaccurate, Tidespring hadn't left South Korea.

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/in_port ... xt_Spring/

RFA Tidespring, the first of four new MARS (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) tankers is currently fitting out at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering yard at Okpo in South Korea. The tanker is expected in Falmouth next spring when she will start military customisation.

[arfah]

..................

[GibMariner]

25075 – Warships: Construction (Answered)

Stephen Doughty
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of steel used in the manufacture of (a) Scout, (b) the Type 26 Frigate, (c) the new Tide Class Tankers and (d) the new Offshore Patrol vessels is manufactured in the UK.

Mr Philip Dunne

Steel is sourced by our contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers. UK suppliers have provided significant quantities of steel for major defence procurement programmes whenever they have been able to meet specified standards.
...
For the Tide Class Tankers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 January 2016 to Questions 23932 and 23934 to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale (Mr. Farron). It is estimated that UK customisation work will require around 80 tonnes of steel, although design work is ongoing and no orders have yet been placed.

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2016/02/2 ... -answered/
Q&A 23932/23934 here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id ... 25.23932.h

[jonas]

Anyone heard when Tidespring is due in the UK, last time mentioned it was in 'Spring' which is rather vague. Nothing even been mentioned about sea trials etc. Seems a bit quiet to me, you would think the RN might have given some news out about her.

Given that she was originaly due in the UK last December do we need to be concerned. ?

[bobp]

The last time I looked the second tanker was about to be launched. At the time it said Tidespring would be going to the uk in the spring. What was not mentioned was any form of sea trials, testing and handover. I assume that's what is holding things up.

[shark bait]

Tidespring now has AIS turned on, 9655535, and can be tracked online now. Thats something new, perhaps a sign she is ready to depart Korea?

[SuperCarrerFan]

Just seen this on Marine Traffic :


http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ind ... me:9655535

[bobp]

Well spotted and it confirms what I said a couple of days ago, she is currently undergoing sea trials, no doubt with RN representatives aboard.

[shark bait]

dont know about sea trials, she hasnt moved since they switched on AIS on the 10th march. No doubt a signal it is close though.

[CarrierFan2006]

AIS shows her in China. Strange...

[shark bait]

AIS shows her in China. Strange...

Which one are you looking at? firmly alongside in Korea for me.

[The Armchair Soldier]

She's now out at sea:
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ho ... 35/zoom:10

[bobp]

AIS is showing her as doing sea trials still.

[marktigger]

have we any rough dates for her delivery to the UK?

[Old RN]

The tracker says her ETA in UK is 10 April but I do not believe it.

[hovematlot]

Do we know where she is getting fitted with the UK specific kit comms etc? I guess Falmouth is probable. Wonder if she will get Phalanx straight away. Have we got enough mounts? Or will the Tides only receive them on gulf deployments?

[shark bait]

Do we know where she is getting fitted with the UK specific kit comms etc?

A&P in Falmouth have the contract.

Exciting news she is on the move. Will have to look out for her on the canal web cams.

[bobp]

AIS shows her still doing sea trials between Korea and Japan. I think the date of 10th April actually refers to the end of these trials..

[ggw22]

Not seen this picture before but nice to see Tidespring and Tiderace double berthed alongside in Korea: