The Bay class are based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design, similar to Dutch HrMs Rotterdam (L800) and Spanish SPS Galicia (L51) LPDs. They were at first classified as Alternative Landing Ship Logistics Round Table class Landing Ship (Logistics). However, they have been reclassified as (ALSL), to replace the Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) (LSD(A)), as they developed into a form very much more like an LSD, with a large flight deck aft and a docking well in the stern capable of operating a LCU Mk 10. The large flight deck can accommodate two Merlin or Chinook helicopters. The military lift includes the capacity to load and transport up to 32 Challenger 2 tanks, or 150 light trucks. They can carry a normal load of 356 troops, or overloaded with 500. They are designed to operate Over the horizon using helicopters and landing craft, to get men and equipment ashore.
Largs Bay and Lyme Bay were built by Swan Hunter on the River Tyne at the Wallsend shipyard, whilst Mounts Bay and Cardigan Bay were built by BAE Systems Naval Ships at Govan on the River Clyde. On 13 July 2006 it was announced that, due to delays and cost over-runs, fitting out of Lyme Bay would be transferred to BAE Systems Naval Ships at Scotstoun. Lyme Bay arrived on the Clyde on July 22, 2006. The vessels were not conventionally launched but were floated out by the flooding of the dry dock, rather than from a slipway.
Mounts Bay was involved in the Vela Deployment in 2006. This was the first involvement of a Bay-class vessel in a Royal Navy Amphibious Task Group operation. After a service of dedication on 17 December 2006 Largs Bay joined Mounts Bay to become the second Bay class vessel active in the fleet. Cardigan Bay was commissioned 6 March 2007 and in mid-April 2007 sailed for "Operation Orion 07", a four-month deployment to the Mediterranean. The fourth and final ship of the class, Lyme Bay was handed over to the RFA on completion of sea trials on 2 August 2007.
In November 2006 Largs Bay underwent sea trials.
The Largs Bay was dedicated on 17 December 2006, the latest addition to the RFA. Largs Bay joined RFA Mounts Bay as the second Bay-class vessel in the fleet. Largs Bay, with HMS Albion and HMS Ark Royal, was involved in training exercises called "South West Scimitar" between 26 February and 8 March 2007. In late November 2007, Largs Bay left home waters for the Caribbean, the first time a Bay Class vessel has visited the area.
On 3 February 2010, she headed off to Haiti with a load of aid supplies, for 2010 Haiti earthquake relief efforts. On 18 February 2010, she arrived at Port-au-Prince and commenced unloading of the supplies.
On 30 March 2010, she returned to home port after her Haiti mission.
RFA Largs Bay is seen here alongside in Leith, Edinburgh.
She is quite unique as she is the only Bay Class to have a custom built hangar on her flight deck, the next two images show her hangar and her own Lynx helicopter.
I was very forunate to get a personal guided tour of this mighty vessel here are some of my images from onboard.
Here is the well deck looking down on to the Stern Gate
The next shot is showing the equipment and vehicle deck looking back towards the Stern Gate.
She is seen here departing Leith the following day having spent three weeks in Leith
Final shot of her in the Locks outbound.
