RFA Mounts Bay

RFA Mounts Bay is one of four LSD (A) Class, Amphibious Support Platforms. Mounts Bay was constructed by BAE (Naval Ships) at Govan on the River Clyde, Launched by Lady Sarah Band, in April 2004, she became the first ‘Bay’ class vessel to achieve completion and following extensive sea trials was first to be accepted in to service in July of 2006. 

A formal service of dedication took place in September of that year to mark the Transfer of Operational Command to Fleet, with the ship honoured by the attendance of the‘Sponsor’ Lady Sarah, and her husband, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band KCB ADC, First Sea Lord.

She is seen here being launched into the Clyde in April 2004

After hitting her stern on the far wall she is seen here being brought on to the fitting out berth

A close up of her damage

As she came on to the fitting out berth she again hit the side, this time she broke a fence and as the rope handler was pulling in the rope his fingers got caught on the bollard and three of his fingers were sliced off.

 

Finally alongside without and further disaster

She is seen here in Leith 25th August 2007.

 

 

The tug Fidra getting a bit to close the bulbous bow - CAREFUL FIDRA!!

 

 

 

During her stay in Leith I was lucky enough to get a guided tour of her, here are the images..

A look down her well deck

A view of the bridge

The Captains table

The Captains seat

The galley

The sleeping areas

The following image shows what was taken from the safe of RFA Sir Tristam after the ship was hit by an Exocet missile during the Falklands War in 1982, it shows (believe it or not!) a lot of coinage that was melted with the heat of the explosion, the ship subsequently sank.

The Officer's mess

The ship's Gym

The Amphibious Squadron's badge on the ship's funnel

The ship's life ring

Looking aft towards the flight deck

Flight deck looking towards the super structure

Looking over the Ocean Terminal

HMS Edinburgh

Hms Edinburgh - The Fortress Of The Sea is the penultimate Type 42 Destroyer in the Royal Navy, she is the largest of the Type 42 Destroyers and was launched by Lady Heseltine in 1983.

The Type 42 Destroyers form the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-air capability. They are equipped with the Sea Dart medium range air defence missile system, which in its primary role is designed to provide area air defence to a group of ships, although it is also effective against surface targets at sea. In addition to their role as an air defence platform the Type 42 Destroyers operate independently carrying out patrol and boarding operations, recently enforcing UN embargoes in the Gulf and the Adriatic as well as providing humanitarian assistance in Monserrat and East Timor

The current HMS Edinburgh is a Batch III Type 42 destroyer built by Cammell Laird Shipbuilders at Birkenhead. Laid down in July 1980, she was launched by Mrs Anne Heseltine on 14 April 1983.

Displacing some 4,800 tons and 140 metres long, Edinburgh is complemented for 26 Officers and 260 Ratings.

She is powered by two Tyne gas turbines for cruising and two Olympus gas turbines which give a maximum speed in excess of 30 knots.

A comprehensive radar and sonar suite inputs into the ship's computer system to allow an effective use of her weapons; Sea Dart anti-air or anti-surface missile system, a single 4.5 inch automatic gun, and 20mm guns for close range defence and policing roles. Also available is a multi-role Lynx helicopter capable of deploying missiles and torpedoes. Modern electronic warfare and communications equipment along with data links to exchange computer information with other ships makes Edinburgh, along with her Batch III sisters York, Gloucester and Manchester one of the most capable surface ships in the Royal Navy today.


Seen departing after Rosyth refit

Seen here in her "home" port of Leith, Edinburgh

 

HMS Edinburgh - Scotland's Capital Ship!

HMS Ocean

The assault ship HMS Ocean seen here departing Rosyth after a few days rectification - 2008

The ship's primary role is to carry an Embarked Military Force (EMF) supported by 12 medium support helicopters, 6 attack helicopters and 4 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) Mk 5 Landing Craft.

 

HMS Tyne

The Fishery Patrol Ship HMS Tyne seen here arriving in Leith 2009.

 

 

HMS Ark Royal

The current Flagship of the Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal seen here from various years in the Firth of Forth

With the Forth Bridges in the background