Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

A British Government agency which ran a variety of auxiliary vessels for Her Majesty's Naval Service
User avatar
jbryce1437
Posts: 1879
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:28 pm
Location: Roker, Sunderland

Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by jbryce1437 »

The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) operated vessels in support of the Royal Navy, the vessels being crewed by civilians. The service was formed in 1976 when it was merged with the Port Auxiliary Service.
The service operated a wide range of vessels in support of the fleet, including Research, Salvage, Ammunition Supply, Berthing Tugs, Tractor Tugs and a great number of Fleet Tenders. In 1986 it operated over 200 vessels.
The service was disbanded in 2008, after which the vessels were operated by a private contractor.
Some years ago I started to compile a Ship Classification list for RN vessels and I have extracted the RMAS vessels and attached it as a PDF file for reference (it is far from complete)
RMAS Classifications.pdf


RMAS Goldeneye - one of the many vessels operated by the RMAS
rmas goldeneye.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Raleigh 1963 , HMS Collingwood 1963 & 67 , HMS Ark Royal 1964-7, HMS Undaunted 1968-71, HMS Victory (Fleet Maintenance Group) 1971-72, HMS Exmouth 1972-74
JEM, EM, OEM, LOEM, POOEL
Then 28 years in the Fire Brigade
Retired since 2002
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Here is a photo of the new Damon Tug purchased by Serco to tow our new big Girl carrier's Q. E. and P of W. a type ART 80 - 32 . and their more common sisters ASD 2810's

At the risk of sounding an anorak , should anyone wish for information on the older tugs who owned them , there Names , Date built , Horse power , engine type , and base port , I have a few books that will identify UK Tugs both Privately owned and Admiralty owned let me know and I will help with what I have

Attached is an example of the type of information .
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Well done that man , that list will keep you out of mischief for a long time , although I confess I never realised we had anything like the number you show Jim .......let alone pictures ......what a studious and resourceful man you are Sir , and no mistake .
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Following on from a comment betwixt our dear Mod Jim and my interest in tug modelling we briefly spoke about Paddle wheel tugs and it set me to thinking that others might be interested also , so here are is some of the information on Admiralty Tugs I have on this specific type in alphabetical order:-

Name/.year built./Engine type./propulsion
Camel 1915 SR Paddle wheel
Dexterous 1957 ME
Director 1956 ME
Faithful 1957 ME
Favourite 1957 ME
Firm 1911 SR
Forceful 1957 ME
Grinder 1957 ME
Gripper 1957 ME
Industrious 1903 SR
Pert 1916 SR
Sprite 1915 SR
Swarthy 1913 SR

I hope this is of interest to you :)
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
jbryce1437
Posts: 1879
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:28 pm
Location: Roker, Sunderland

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by jbryce1437 »

ivorthediver wrote: Sun Nov 25, 2018 4:04 pm Following on from a comment betwixt our dear Mod Jim and my interest in tug modelling we briefly spoke about Paddle wheel tugs and it set me to thinking that others might be interested also , so here are is some of the information on Admiralty Tugs I have on this specific type in alphabetical order:-

Name/.year built./Engine type./propulsion
Camel 1915 SR Paddle wheel
Dexterous 1957 ME
Director 1956 ME
Faithful 1957 ME
Favourite 1957 ME
Firm 1911 SR
Forceful 1957 ME
Grinder 1957 ME
Gripper 1957 ME
Industrious 1903 SR
Pert 1916 SR
Sprite 1915 SR
Swarthy 1913 SR

I hope this is of interest to you :)
Thanks Ivor, some photos of said paddle tugs and some ;-)


Camel
camel.jpg

Dexterous
rmas dexterous.jpg

Director
director[1].jpg

Faithful
faithful_2125[1].jpg

Favourite
FAVOURI1.jpg

Firm
hmt firm,seen while dased at sheerness dockyard,dated 41950.jpg

Forceful
rmas forceful 2.jpg

Grinder
Grinder-02[1].jpg

Griper
rmas griper 1970s.jpg

Industrious
hmt industrious at devonport dated 1934 dromadery class.jpg

Pert
na1991[1].jpg

Sprite
hmt sprite dated 31931.jpg

Swarthy
hmt swarthy,based at portsmouth,dated 81947.jpg

Advice
hmt advice,seen while based at sheerness 41950.jpg

Ancient
hmt ancient,seen while based at malta,dated 11948 built as hmt veteren.jpg

Cracker
hmt cracker dated 51937.jpg

Grappler
hmt grappler at portsmouth dated 81947.jpg

Manly
Manly3.jpg

Rambler
hmt rambler,built by john brown,clydebank,completed 51909.jpg

Robust
hmt robust.jpg

Sprite
hmt sprite dated 31931.jpg

Strenuous
hmt strenuous,completed 1913.renamed hmt sandboy,seen while dased at bermuda,dated 31937.jpg

Swarthy
hmt swarthy,based at portsmouth,dated 81947.jpg

Volatile
hmt volatile,at portsmouth,dated 791956.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
HMS Raleigh 1963 , HMS Collingwood 1963 & 67 , HMS Ark Royal 1964-7, HMS Undaunted 1968-71, HMS Victory (Fleet Maintenance Group) 1971-72, HMS Exmouth 1972-74
JEM, EM, OEM, LOEM, POOEL
Then 28 years in the Fire Brigade
Retired since 2002
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

What have you got at home Jim , the Naval National Data Bank ? ;)
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Well heres my source Jim .....which is obviously inferior to yours :oops:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
jbryce1437
Posts: 1879
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 7:28 pm
Location: Roker, Sunderland

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by jbryce1437 »

ivorthediver wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:47 am What have you got at home Jim , the Naval National Data Bank ? ;)
Not quite, I store my photos in folders by Type, Class and Name so that I can find them quicker. Got oodles of tug photos.

Jim
HMS Raleigh 1963 , HMS Collingwood 1963 & 67 , HMS Ark Royal 1964-7, HMS Undaunted 1968-71, HMS Victory (Fleet Maintenance Group) 1971-72, HMS Exmouth 1972-74
JEM, EM, OEM, LOEM, POOEL
Then 28 years in the Fire Brigade
Retired since 2002
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

As Jim has already pointed out in 2007 the MOD entered into a contract with Serco Denholm Marine now know as SD to supply Marine services for the next 15 years which is a far reaching resource both in and out of naval posts and also embraced including UK and overseas moorings and Navigational aids .

This company now embraces import services for Naval assets , berthing ,towage, passenger transportation, Pilot transfers, stores, including liquids and munitions , recovery and disposal of waste spillage clean up , diver training , mine laying excersisies torpedo recovery , boarding training , target training .

The Briggs group are subcontracted to assist with boys and mooring support and navigational aids .......so all in all they cover all naval related ship attendance work .

You might be surprised to know , as indeed I was , just how big a set up this is and the vessels / equipment involved . but I will try to offer an insight to this empire of naval assistance , provided by them .....

First with TUGS....Types , duty , location
Tugs:-
Impulse Class = SD IMPULSE , SD IMPETUS ...........Based at Faslane
ART 8032 Class = SD TEMPEST ...........................Based in Portsmouth
ASD 2059 Class = SD INDEPENDENT ,SD INDULGENT...Based in Portsmouth
ATD 2909 Class = SD Bountiful............................Based in Portsmouth
SD RESOURCFUL ,SD RELIABLE,SD DEPENDABLE are based on the Clyde

TWIN UNIT TRACTOR TUGS:-
SD ADEPT, SD CAREFUL, SD FAITHFUL , SD FORCFULL , SD POWERFUL. all at Davenport

STAN TUGS:-Conventional 2 Screw Design , both passenger and Towage capability
Type 2608 Class = SD HERCULES .......................Based in Devonport
SD JUPITOR ..........................Based in Based in Clyde
SD MARS ..............................Based in KYLE of LOCHALSH

General ship handling for smaller ships and Barge and submarine work
ASD 2009 Class = SD DEBORAH ..........................Based in Devonport
SD EILEEN .............................Based in Devonport
SD CHRISTINA .........................Based in Portsmouth
SD SUZANNE...........................Based in Portsmouth

Water Tractors used for small equipment and barges
Felicity Class= SD FLORENCE ........................... Based in Devonport
SD GENEVIEVE ...........................Based in Portsmouth
SD HELEN .................................Based in Portsmouth

General line runner and harbour workboat.
Pushy Class 1204 = SD CATHERINE .....................Based at Portsmouth

General inshore TUG
STAN TUG 1405 = SD TILLY ..............................Based in Devonport


ART =Azimuth Rotar Tug.....ASD =Azimuth Stern Drive......STAN ..Standard


OK hope that has wet your appetite ......more tomorrow ;)
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
User avatar
ivorthediver
Posts: 3659
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:42 pm
Location: Cambridge Shore Battery

Re: Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service history

Unread post by ivorthediver »

Ok continuing the SD theme here are a few more operated by Serco :-

World Wide Support Vessel [ just the one ;)

SD VICTORIA ....fitted out with many facilities......................... Based in Devonport

Trials Vessel

SD WARDEN ...used in support of BUTEC .... .............................Based at KYLE of LOCHALSH
SD KYLE of LOCHALSH... .............................................Based at KYLE of LOCHALSH
"What Ever Floats your Boat"
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic

Return to “Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service”