Ol-class tanker (1965)

Last updated

A124 Olmeda.jpg
RFA Olmeda
Class overview
NameOl class
Builders
Operators
Preceded by Tide class
Succeeded by Wave class
In service1965–2021
Completed4
Lost1
Retired3
General characteristics
Class and type Fast fleet tanker
Displacement33,240 long tons (33,773 t) full load
Length648 ft (198 m)
Beam84 ft 2 in (25.65 m)
Draught34 ft (10 m)
Propulsion2× Pametrada steam turbines, double reduction geared
Speed21 kn (24 mph; 39 km/h)
Range10,000 nmi (19,000 km) at 16 kn (18 mph; 30 km/h)
Complement
  • 88 RFA
  • 40 RN
Armament
  • 2× 20 mm guns
  • 2× Chaff launchers
Aircraft carried3× Westland Wessex or Westland Sea King helicopters
Aviation facilities Helicopter deck, hangar

The Ol-class tankers were a series of three "fast fleet tankers" used by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom, tasked with providing fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world.

Contents

Class history

In 1962, plans included support ships capable of maintaining “fleet speed” (defined as sustained steaming at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)) and early mentions proposed six ships. On 4 February 1963, an order had been placed for three ships, to be known as the Olynthus class. They were designed by the builders to meet specific requirements. When they entered service they were the largest and fastest ships in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, capable of operating 3 x Westland Sea King helicopters. [1]

The three ships in the class, RFA Olwen, RFA Olmeda and RFA Olna, were an evolution of the earlier Tide-class replenishment oilers. The lead ship of the class was launched as RFA Olynthus, thus becoming known as Olynthus class although she was renamed RFA Olwen in 1967, to avoid confusion with HMS Olympus. Consequently, the class became Olwen class, and thereafter Ol class. [2] Similarly, RFA Olmeda originally entered service as RFA Oleander, but was later renamed to avoid confusion with HMS Leander.

The ships saw service in a wide range of locations and conflicts, including during Operation Corporate, and which also saw Olmeda take part in the recapture of Thule Island, and in the Persian Gulf during the 1991 Operation Granby. [3] [4]

The ships were replaced by the Wave-class tankers. One modified Ol-class vessel, Kharg, was built for the former Imperial Iranian Navy in 1977. The vessel was delivered to the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy in 1984, and was lost on 2 June 2021. [5] [6]

Design

The class were designed to be 185.9 metres (610 ft) long, 25.6 metres (84 ft) breadth and 11.1 metres (36 ft) draught, with a fully loaded displacement of 36,000 tonnes (35,000 long tons; 40,000 short tons) and achieve a speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph). A normal complement consisted of 88 RFA and 40 RN personnel. The ships were armed with two x 20 mm guns and two Chaff rocket launchers. They each had four pairs of replenishment rigs which were located between the forward and aft superstructures. They were able to carry four types of fuels: Furnace Fuel Oil, Diesel, Avcat and Mogas. Limited supplies of lubricating oils, fresh water and dry stores could also be carried. The ships each had constructed at their aft a helicopter flight deck with a hangar. [7]

Construction programme

Name Pennant BuilderLaid downLaunchedIn serviceOut of service
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Olwen (ex-Olynthus)A122 Hawthorn Leslie and Company, Tyneside 11 July 196310 July 196412 July 196519 September 2000
Olna A1232 July 196428 July 19651 April 196624 September 2000
Olmeda (ex-Oleander)A124 Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear 27 August 196310 July 196419 October 1965January 1994
Iranian Navy
Kharg 431Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Wallend27 January 19763 February 19775 October 19842 June 2021 - Sank

Decommissioning and fate

In July 1994 Olmeda was sold for £1.2m to Singaporean owners and renamed Niaxco. She then sailed under her own power from HMNB Portsmouth to Alang Ship Breaking Yard in India, arriving in August. [1]

In 1999 Olwen was wthdrawn from service and laid up at Portsmouth and on 19 September 2000 she was handed over for disposal; purchased by the Eckhardt Organisation, Germany, for scrap. Then in January 2001 she was renamed Kea for the move to the breakers. [2]

On 24 September 2000 Olna was laid up at Portsmouth and on 12 October she was handed over for disposal. In February 2001 she was also purchased by the Eckhardt Organisation in Germany for scrap. In May it came to light that both Olna and Olwen had been banned from Turkish yards due to a high asbestos content. Olna was diverted to Greece and renamed  Kos. She then sailed via the Suez Canal to Alang Ship Breaking Yard in India, arriving on 20 June. [8]

Olwen was also diverted to Greece and she then also sailed via the Suez Canal to Alang, arriving on 21 July 2001. [2]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "RFA Oleander - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "RFA Olwen - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Operation Corporate RFA Timeline - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Gulf War - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk. 24 February 1993. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Iran warships enter Mediterranean via Suez Canal". BBC News. 18 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Iran navy's largest ship sinks after fire onboard". The Independent . UK. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "'Ol' Class Fast Fleet Tankers". 4 April 2001. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "RFA Olna - Historical RFA". historicalrfa.uk. 26 October 2008. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
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