RFA Lyme Bay
{{Short description|2007 Bay-class dock landing ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2018}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
}} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = File:UK task group links up with Italian carrier in last act of autumn deployment MOD 45167525.jpg | Ship caption = RFA Lyme Bay in the Mediterranean, 2020 }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = | Ship country = United Kingdom | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval-RFA}} | Ship name = RFA Lyme Bay | Ship namesake = Lyme Bay, Dorset | Ship ordered = 18 December 2000 | Ship awarded = | Ship builder = Swan Hunter / BAE Systems | Ship laid down = 22 November 2002 | Ship launched = 3 September 2005 | Ship completed = | Ship in service = 26 November 2007 | Ship out of service = | Ship refit = | Ship struck = | Ship homeport = Falmouth{{Cite web|date=27 April 2021|title=FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/743903/response/1777888/attach/3/FOI2021%2003678%20Response.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|access-date=1 June 2023|website=What do they know?}} | Ship identification = *Pennant number: L3007
| Ship motto = | Ship nickname = | Ship honours = | Ship fate = | Ship status = {{Ship in active service}} | Ship notes = | Ship badge = 125px }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship class = Bay-class landing ship dock | Ship displacement = {{convert|16160|t|LT|0|lk=out|abbr=on}} full load | Ship length = {{convert|579.4|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|86.6|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship draught = {{convert|19|ft|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *2 × Wärtsilä 8L26 generators, {{convert|6000|hp|MW|abbr=on}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = {{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn|abbr=on}} | Ship troops = 356 standard, 700 overload | Ship capacity = *1,150 linear metres of vehicles (up to 24 Challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks)
| Ship boats = 1 LCU or 2 LCVP in well deck; Mexeflote powered rafts | Ship complement = 60 | Ship armament = *2 × DS30B Mk 1 30 mm guns{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-all-rounder-the-30mm-automated-small-calibre-gun-in-focus/ |title=The all-rounder – the 30mm Automated Small Calibre Gun in focus |work= Navy Lookout|date=13 January 2021 |access-date=29 March 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-uk-littoral-strike-group-south-arrives-in-the-indo-pacific/ |title=The UK Littoral Response Group (South) arrives in the Indo-Pacific |work= Navy Lookout |date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024}}
| Ship armour = | Ship aircraft = Not routinely carried but a temporary hangar can be fitted. | Ship aircraft facilities = Flight deck can operate helicopters up to Chinook size | Ship notes = }} |
RFA Lyme Bay is a Bay-class auxiliary dock landing ship (LSD(A)) of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). Ordered from Swan Hunter in 2000, the ship was launched in 2005. However, cost overruns and delays saw the shipbuilder removed from the project, and the incomplete ship was towed to Govan for finishing by BAE Systems Naval Ships. Lyme Bay entered service in late 2007; the last ship of the class to join the RFA.
Design and construction
{{main|Bay class landing ship dock}}
The Bay class was designed as a replacement for the Round Table-class logistics ships operated by the RFA. The new design was based on the Royal Schelde Enforcer design; a joint project between the Dutch and Spanish resulting in the Rotterdam-class and Galicia-class amphibious warfare ships. The main difference with the British ships is the lack of a helicopter hangar.Kemp, New UK landing ship takes to the water The ships were originally designated "Auxiliary Landing Ship Logistics" or ALSL, but this was changed in 2002 to "Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary)" or LSD(A), better reflecting their operational role.Scott, The Royal Navy's Future Fleet Four ships were ordered; two from Swan Hunter, and two from BAE Systems Naval Ships.
The Bay-class ships have a full load displacement of {{convert|16160|t|LT}}. Each is {{convert|579.4|ft}} long, with a beam of {{convert|86.6|ft}}, and a draught of {{convert|19|ft}}. Propulsion power is provided by two Wärtsilä 8L26 generators, providing {{convert|6000|hp|MW}}, and two Wärtsilä 12V26 generators, providing {{convert|9000|hp|MW}}. These are used to drive two steerable azimuth thrusters, with a bow thruster supplementing. Maximum speed is {{convert|18|kn}}, and the Bay-class ships can achieve a range of {{convert|8000|nmi}} at {{convert|15|kn}}. Lyme Bay is armed with two 30 mm DS30B cannons, four Mk.44 miniguns, six 7.62mm L7 GPMGs, and two Phalanx CIWS. The standard ship's company consists of 60 officers and sailors.
As a sealift ship, Lyme Bay is capable of carrying up to 24 Challenger 2 tanks or 150 light trucks in 1,150 linear metres of space. The cargo capacity is equivalent of 200 tons of ammunition, or 24 Twenty-foot equivalent unit containers. During normal conditions, a Bay-class ship can carry 356 soldiers, but this can be almost doubled to 700 in overload conditions. Helicopters are not routinely carried on board, but a temporary hangar can be fitted and the flight deck is capable of handling helicopters up to the size of Chinooks, as well as Merlin helicopters and Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The well dock can carry one LCU Mark 10 or two LCVPs, and two Mexeflotes can be suspended from the ship's flanks. Two 30-ton cranes are fitted between the superstructure and the flight deck.
Lyme Bay and sister ship {{ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006|2}} were ordered from Swan Hunter on 18 December 2000. Lyme Bay was laid down at Swan Hunter's shipyard at Wallsend, Tyne and Wear on 22 November 2002.Saunders (ed.), Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009, p. 876 The ship was launched on 3 September 2005. The Bay class construction project saw major delays and cost overruns, particularly in the Swan Hunter half of the project.Brown, UK strips Swan Hunter of LSD(A) role Shortly after Largs Bay was handed over to the RFA, Swan Hunter was stripped from the project, with BAE taking full responsibility for the class on 13 June 2006. Lyme Bay was towed to BAE's shipyard in Govan for completion, departing on 16 July and arriving on the River Clyde on 22 July.{{cite news |last=Armstrong |first=Jeremy |title=Last Ship Leaves the Tyne |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2006/07/18/last-ship-leaves-the-tyne-115875-17400800/ |date=18 July 2006 |work=Mirror.co.uk |access-date=15 April 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5205152.stm |work=BBC News |title=Unfinished ship arrives on Clyde |date=22 July 2006 |access-date=15 April 2011}} The ship was the last to be built on the River Tyne. BAE completed construction, and Lyme Bay was dedicated on 26 November 2007; the last ship of the class to enter RFA service.
Operational history
Lyme Bay was deployed for three years on a Maritime Security Patrol in the Persian Gulf, based in Bahrain, acting in a support role of coalition and allied forces. In June 2012, Lyme Bay sailed from Bahrain to return home to undergo a planned refit and regeneration period.{{Citation needed|date=July 2012}}
In August 2013, she joined the COUGAR 13 task group.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2013/August/09/130809-Cougar-13 |title=Royal Navy sails for annual 'Cougar' deployment |date=9 August 2013 |work=Royal Navy |access-date=1 February 2016}} On 16 October 2013 she joined Operation Atalanta, the EU’s counter-piracy force off Somalia; she rejoined the COUGAR group in mid-November.{{cite web | url=http://eunavfor.eu/uk-ship-rfa-lyme-bay-joins-eu-counter-piracy-naval-force-off-somalia/ | title=UK Ship RFA Lyme Bay Joins EU Counter Piracy Naval Force off Somalia | date=21 October 2013 | publisher=EUNAVFOR Somalia}}
Lyme Bay has deployed for the COUGAR 14 Response Force Task Group exercise.{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/september/01/140902-cougar14 |title=Royal Navy Task Force departs on Cougar 14 |date=1 September 2014 |work=Royal Navy |access-date=1 February 2016}}
Between June and December 2015 the ship was on Hurricane watch in the Caribbean and had a Mexeflote and Combat Support Boat (CSB) with their crews from 17 Port & Maritime Regt RLC on board to provide the amphibious capability that had not been seen on APT (North) before. A team of Royal Marines and Royal Engineers were attached on board with a wide range of skill sets along with a Lynx HMA.8 from 234 Flight of 815 Naval Air Squadron for the duration.{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/july/27/150727-royal-navy-decoy-flares-light-up-caribbean |title=Royal Navy decoy flares light up Caribbean |date=27 July 2015 |work=Royal Navy |access-date=19 August 2015}} In September she spent six days off Dominica providing humanitarian and disaster relief following Tropical Storm Erika.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rfa-lyme-bay-receives-praise-from-high-commissioner-for-dominica-aid |title=RFA Lyme Bay receives praise from High Commissioner for Dominica Aid |work=Ministry of Defence |date=8 September 2015 |access-date=1 February 2016}} This saw the Mexeflote transferring 10 vehicles ashore and 100 tonnes of water and aid, alongside were the HADR team to help the local population. Lyme Bay's assistance was also required by The Bahamas just a few weeks later after devastating effects from Hurricane Joaquin. Lyme Bay finished Atlantic Patrol Tasking (North) in December 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/december/21/151221-rfa-lyme-bay-home-after-successful-atlantic-patrol |title=RFA Lyme Bay home after successful Atlantic patrol |date=21 December 2015 |work=Royal Navy |access-date=1 February 2016}}
Lyme Bay assisted with the search and recovery of EgyptAir Flight 804 which crashed over the Mediterranean Sea on 19 May 2016.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1698511/egyptair-jet-disappears-over-mediterranean-sea |title=EgyptAir Jet Disappears Over Mediterranean Sea |date=19 May 2016 |work=Sky News |access-date=19 May 2016}}
After 17 Port and Maritime Regt proving the true capabilities of the Mexeflote and LSD(A) Bay-class ships working in unison in 2015 during APT (North), both the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 17 Port and Maritime Regt have secured a 3-year deployment with both LSD(A) and Mexeflote paired respectively.
An extensive refit in Falmouth took place in 2017.{{cite news | url=http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/in_port/15144909.A_P_tender_for_part_of_a_ten_year____900_million_MoD_contract_to_repair_and_refit_ships/ | title=A&P tender for part of a ten-year, £900 million MoD contract to repair and refit ships | date=9 March 2017 | first= David | last=Barnicoat | newspaper=Falmouth Packet | access-date=5 April 2017}} Lyme Bay was returned to the fleet after the refit and sea trials were complete on 8 March 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/rfa-lyme-bay-ready-ost/|access-date=11 September 2019|title=RFA Lyme Bay returns to fleet}} April 2019 saw RFA Lyme Bay take part in Exercise Joint Warrior 19-1, off the coast of northwest Scotland.{{cite web|url=http://www.warfare.today/2019/04/09/royal-navy-on-joint-warrior-this-is-what-i-joined-for/|access-date=11 September 2019|title=Royal Navy Reports on Exercise Joint Warrior 19-1}}
In May 2021, Lyme Bay took over as command vessel of 9 Mine Countermeasures Squadron operating from {{HMS|Jufair}} in Bahrain. In May 2022, Lyme Bay returned to the U.K. for a refit. It was reported that she might be selected for conversion to a future Littoral Strike Ship role. However, the conversion itself was delayed and in July 2022 it was reported that the littoral strike role would in fact be assumed by {{RFAux|Argus|A135|6}} instead.{{cite web |title=The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2022 |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-fleet-auxiliary-in-2022/ |website=Navy Lookout |date=30 May 2022 |access-date=31 May 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-oldest-ship-in-the-royal-naval-service-to-become-the-new-littoral-strike-ship/ |title=The oldest ship in the Royal Naval Service to become the new Littoral Strike Ship |work=Navy Lookout |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=20 July 2022}} Lyme Bay herself was earmarked to join Argus as part of Littoral Response Group (South), which was to deploy east of Suez in the latter part of 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63-ADo-SeOw |title= Royal Navy task force gears up for landmark deployment |publisher=Forces News |last=Williams |first=Briohny |access-date=11 October 2023}} Lyme Bay and Argus deployed in that role starting in October 2023 with Lyme Bay embarking a company from 40 Commando and Commando Raiding Craft (CRC) from 539 Raiding Squadron RM.{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/news/uk-royal-navy-revamp-their-amphibious-landing-craft/?cf-view |title=UK Royal Navy revamp their amphibious raiding craft |date=8 February 2024 |website=Naval Technology |access-date=9 February 2024}} It is envisaged that Lyme Bay will be based at the UK Joint Logistics Support Base in Oman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-aircraft-carrier-will-not-be-deployed-to-the-mediterranean-but-other-options-are-open/|title=Royal Navy aircraft carrier will not be deployed to the Mediterranean but other options are open |website=Navy Lookout |date=12 October 2023}} It was subsequently indicated by the Government that she was to remain, for a time, in the Eastern Mediterranean with Argus as part of a broader British regional presence given the outbreak of the Gaza war.{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Jake |title=British warships, aircraft, and a force of Royal Marines are joining a US Navy carrier strike group in waters near Israel |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/uk-warships-aircraft-joining-us-navy-carrier-strike-group-israel-2023-10 |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} It was expected to carry aid materials from Cyprus to Gaza, but eventually delivered its aid to Egypt due to unaddressed safety concerns.{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2024/01/11/getting-aid-to-gaza-by-sea |title=Under a real peace deal, Gaza could be an intercontinental crossroads |work=The Economist |date=11 January 2024 |access-date=16 January 2024}}
In March 2024, maintenance of Argus and Lyme Bay was undertaken at the Larsen & Toubro's Kattupalli Shipyard in India. This was the first time that a Royal Navy ship had arrived in an Indian shipyard for maintenance. The ships, escorted by {{HMS|Diamond||6}}, had transited through the Red Sea to reach India.{{Cite web |title=UK MoD deputes Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay for repairs at L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard |url=https://www.larsentoubro.com/pressreleases/2024-03-28-uk-mod-deputes-royal-fleet-auxiliary-rfa-ships-rfa-argus-and-rfa-lyme-bay-for-repairs-at-lt-shipbuilding-s-kattupalli-shipyard/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=www.larsentoubro.com |language=en}}{{cite tweet |number=1772661589398765647 |user=NavyLookout |title=@NavyLookout The Littoral Response Group (LRG (South)) @RFAArgus and @RFALymeBay have arrived at the Larsen & Toubro shipyard in Kattupalli 🇮🇳India for maintenance following exercises with the Indian Navy in the Arabian Sea. |date=26 March 2024 |access-date=26 March 2024 |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1772661589398765647?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet}} In April 2024, LRG(S) participated in Maritime Partnership Exercise with Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean. The exercise included stealth frigate {{INS|Sahyadri}}. The tasks conducted in the exercise included tactical manoeuvres, boarding ops, surface engagement against simulated asymmetric threats, cross deck visits & cross deck helo ops.{{Cite web |last=ANI |date=2024-04-26 |title=Indian Navy Participates in Maritime Partnership Exercise with UK's Littoral Response Group |url=https://theprint.in/world/indian-navy-participates-in-maritime-partnership-exercise-with-uks-littoral-response-group/2058103/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{cite tweet |number=1783506820289724645 |user=SpokespersonNavy |title=#IndianNavy's indigenous stealth frigate #INSSahyadri participated in Maritime Partnership Exercise with UK Littoral Response Group South (LRGS) comprising #RoyalNavy ships @RFAArgus & @RFALymeBay... |date=25 April 2024 |access-date=28 April 2024 |url=https://twitter.com/indiannavy/status/1783506820289724645?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet}}
In July 2024, both Lyme Bay and Argus deployed to Australia for exercise "Predators Run" which included troops from 40 Commando Royal Marines, and also involved US and Australian forces.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-09 |title=Royal Marines load Lightweight vehicles onto Osprey for the First Time |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2024/july/09/20240709-royal-marines-put-an-mrzr-vehicle-in-an-osprey-tiltrotor-aircraft-of-the-us-marines|access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Royal Navy|language=en-UK}} In late 2024, Lyme Bay was reported in the Atlantic and paid a four-day visit to Ghana{{cite tweet |number=1851267013567554013 |user=Navy Lookout |title=@NavyLookout. @RFALymeBay sailed from Accra 🇬🇭Ghana today after 4-day visit. |date=29 October 2024 |access-date=30 October 2024 |url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1851267013567554013?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet}} which was to be followed by visits to Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Senegal along with exercises with regional navies.{{cite tweet ||url=https://x.com/NavyLookout/status/1851890581300990118?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |number=1851890581300990118 |user=Navy Lookout |title=@NavyLookout.@RFALymeBay arrived in Lagos, 🇳🇬Nigeria yesterday for a defence engagement visit. |date=31 October 2024 |access-date=31 October 2024}}
In June 2025, Lyme Bay began a contractor support maintenance period at the A&P Tyne shipyard.{{Cite web |date=2025-06-27 |title=RFA Lyme Bay begins refit, leaving the UK with just one active amphibious vessel |website= Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/rfa-lyme-bay-begins-refit-leaving-the-uk-with-just-one-active-amphibious-vessel/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |language=en-GB}}
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
;Books
- {{cite book |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009 |editor-last=Saunders |editor-first=Stephen |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |year=2008 |edition=111th |series=Jane's Fighting Ships |isbn=978-0-7106-2845-9 |oclc=225431774}}
;Journal articles
- {{cite journal|last=Brown |first=Nick |date=13 July 2006 |title=UK strips Swan Hunter of LSD(A) role |journal=Jane's Defence Industry |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
- {{cite journal |last=Kemp |first=Ian |date=25 July 2003 |title=New UK landing ship takes to the water |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
- {{cite journal |last=Scott |first=Richard |date=4 September 2003 |title=The Royal Navy's Future Fleet – Taking Shape |journal=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary/Bay-Class-Landing-Ships/RFA-Lyme-Bay Official Website]
{{Bay class landing ship dock}}
{{Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lyme Bay (L3007)}}
Category:Bay-class landing ships