RFA Oakleaf (A111)
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | |
| Launched: | |
| Commissioned: | 26 March 1984 |
| Decommissioned: | |
| Fate: | Active in service as of 2007. |
| Struck: | |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 49,377 tonnes |
| Length: | 173.7 m |
| Beam: | 32.2 m |
| Draught: | 11.2 m |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: | 14.5 knots |
| Range: | |
| Complement: | 35 |
| Armament: | 2 7.62 mm machine guns |
| Aircraft: | |
| Motto: | |
The RFA Oakleaf (A111) is a Leaf-class fleet support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Formerly the Swedish vessel MV Oktania built by A. B. Udevella, Sweden and completed in 1981, Oakleaf was added to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1986.
As well as their role of replenishing warships at sea, support tankers perform the bulk movement of fuels between MOD(N) depots. The Oakleaf has three Leaf Class sisters - RFAs Brambleleaf, Bayleaf and Orangeleaf. All four were originally designed as commercial tankers and underwent major conversions to bring them up to RFA standards and equip them for naval support. These involved adding a considerable amount of electronics, both in communications and navigational aids, fitting two replenishment rigs and increasing the amount of accommodation.
While the ships can provide some food and stores support, their main cargoes are diesel and aviation fuel. The Oakleaf is capable of replenishing ships with fuel using a standard jackstay or derrick rig abeam and towed rig for astern replenishment. She is fitted to take containers on her main deck for the provision of stores and to enhance ship's stores capabilities for long deployments.
The normal complement is 36, in her current deployment is 15 officers and 22 senior and junior ratings. Among the departments, the PO (Supply) is responsible for 5,000 stores line items as well as for victualling, clothing and bedding . The RISC (RFA Interim Stores Computer) system is his only assistant on board. This system is to be replaced by Oasis 4 in due course.
RFA Oakleaf is powered by a four cylinder Burmeister and Wain long stroke oil engine capable of developing 12,000 bhp driving a single controllable pitch propeller. She also has bow and stern variable pitch thrust propellers. Fitted with automatic power management, the vessel can be operated with her machinery spaces unmanned - as with her sister ships, her engines can be controlled from either the ship's bridge or the (air conditioned) machinery control room.
Following a refit last December and BOST in January, she recommenced her duties in the Caribbean as tanker to the West Indies Guard Ship. The deployment could explain why one of her facilities - a heated swimming pool - is not being as heavily used as it might be. The ship's company also have a gymnasium and a sauna at their disposal.
[edit] Other vessels with name
RFA Oakleaf is the second ship to bear the name. Her predecessor was built in Glasgow as Elder liner Montezuma by A Stephens and Sons Ltd in 1899. She was propelled by steam and had a displacement of 7,345 tons gross. Measuring 485 feet long and with a beam of 59 feet, she could steam at 13 knots. Converted to a dummy battleship (Iron Duke) in 1914, this vessel later became the tanker Abadol in 1915. Renamed the Oakleaf in February 1917, she was lost just five months later. On July 25 that year she was torpedoed by the German submarine UC 41 64 miles NW1/4W from the Butt of Lewis.
