Previous name:
Subsequent name:           Berrio

Official Number:                339224

Class:                                  ROVER CLASS Small Fleet Tanker

Pennant No:                       A270

Laid down:
Builder:                               Swan Hunter, Hebburn

Launched:                          11 November 1969
Into Service:                       15 July 1970
Out of service:                    March 1993

Fate:                                    Sold out of Service

Items of historic interest involving this ship: -

Background Data:   In 1967, tenders were invited for what eventually turned out to be 5 ships in this Class. Owing to unsatisfactory performance from the original engines, which had been a political decision, the first 3 ships in the Class were re-engined in 1974. The final 2 ships differed slightly from the earlier 3 and had improved accommodation standards and different stern anchor arrangements

9 July 1969  her Ship’s Badge was officially presented to her

11 November 1969 Launched by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd, Hebburn as Yard Nr 8  named  BLUE ROVER. The Lady Sponsor was Mrs Haynes, the wife of Rear Admiral  W.A. Haynes CB, OBE who was Director General Dockyards and Maintenance

15 July 1970 completed and accepted 3 months later than the original planned date

February 1971 supported the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA in the Pacific

August 1972 In Project Stornoway - the RAF Station fuelling tanks there required 1500 tons of   Avtur in preparation for a major Nato Exercise. The ship anchored offshore and  effected delivery of the fuel through  a specially constructed  2½ mile long pipeline in a 22½ hour long operation

22 May 1973 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 2nd Cod War until 2 June 1973

26 September 1973 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 2nd Cod War until 1 October 1973

11 October 1973 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 2nd Cod War until 13 October 1973

November 1973 Whilst escorting the Royal Yacht in the Pacific she suffered a major engine room fire and had to be towed to Tahiti by BRITANNIA to effect temporary repairs before returning home to the U.K.

April 1974 Was re-engined with 2 x 16 cyl Pielstick 400 x 460mm diesel engines by Crossley Premier Engines Ltd, Manchester. 15360 bhp. Speed now 19½ knots

25 April 1976 Carried out abeam refuelling trials, which involved just the connection of hoses, with the British merchant tanker BRITISH ESK

13 May 1976 deployed in support of RN units off Iceland during 3rd Cod War until 1 June 1976

September 1977 lost her rudder off Bergen and was towed to Rosyth under the escort of HMS Salisbury

16 April 1982 sailed Portsmouth for service during Operation Corporate - the Falklands  Conflict

26 April 1982 arrived Ascension Island and then sailed again that same day

2 May 1982 entered the TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands

4 May 1982 joined up with RFA’s TIDESPRING and APPLELEAF (3) escorted by the  destroyer HMS ANTRIM and the frigate HMS PLYMOUTH

6 May 1982 detached from the Group with RFA APPLELEAF (3) and headed for South Georgia  escorted by the frigate HMS PLYMOUTH

9 May 1982 arrived Cumberland Bay, South Georgia to act as Station Tanker there

28 May 1982 sustained slight damage while refuelling  the ferry NORLAND

29 May 1982 sailed South Georgia to rendezvous with the Task Group

31 May 1982 entered San Carlos Water

2 June 1982 sailed San Carlos Water.

4 June 1982 entered San Carlos Water

5 June 1982 was relieved at South Georgia by RFA PEARLEAF (2)

6 June 1982 sailed San Carlos Water

10 June 1982 entered San Carlos water after replenishment from a STUFT ship in the TRALA (Tug, Repair and Logistics area)

12 June 1982 sailed San Carlos Water

28 June 1982 sailed Falkland Islands for home

17 July 1982 arrived back U.K. on completion of Operation Corporate duties

18 November 1983 in Operation Offcut - naval support to British troops in the multi-national force in  the Lebanon along with RFA’s GREY ROVER, BRAMBLELEAF (3) and later  RELIANT (3)

17 August 1984 was presented with her Falkland Islands 1982 Battle Honour at Faslane by Mr A  Kemp DST(SF)

9 January 1991 Captain Pat Thompson RFA appointed as Commanding Officer

9 February 1993 arrived Devonport to commence destore for disposal

22 February 1993 sailed Devonport

23 February 1993 arrived Portsmouth for final destore then disposal

March 1993 was purchased by the Portuguese Navy for £5.5m

31 March 1993 officially handed over to the Portuguese Navy at Portsmouth and was renamed NRP BERRIO ( A 5210)

6 April 1993 sailed Portsmouth for Falmouth for a brief refit before re-entering service with her  new owners

4 April 2005 took part in Exercise 'Nifa 2005' with units of the Spanish. French and Portugal Navies in the North Atlantic

1July 2004 anchored in Plymouth Sound

8 July 2004 anchored in Plymouth Sound

25 September 2006 RASed with HMCS IROQUOIS

31 August 2008 alongside at the Naval Base, Lisbon

Notes:

NRP = Navio de Republica Portuguese = Portuguese Republic Ship