HMAS Success conducts first RAS as part of Operation MANITOU with ESPS Rayo
7 January 2015
Success is an Auxiliary Oil Replenishment Ship force assigned to Joint Task Force 633 and as part of Combined Task Force 53, provides logistic support to coalition navy ships on patrol in the area. By supplying coalition navies with fuel and stores, Success enables ships to remain at sea on task for longer periods.
Rayo is a Spanish Navy meteoro class corvette assigned to CTF 465, the European Union Naval Force, conducting anti-piracy patrols off the Horn of Africa.
80 000 litres of F76 fuel was transferred to the patrol force vessel from Success in an evolution that lasted under an hour.
As a sign of camaraderie, Success’ imagery specialist captured a photo of Rayo coming alongside and the finished picture was mounted and transferred to the Spanish ship during the evolution.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Rafael Samaniego, displayed his appreciation by giving a thumbs up gesture when he received the picture and waved to Success’ Commanding Officer, Captain Justin Jones, from the bridge.
These international engagements help to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between the different nations and naval forces that are conducting counter-piracy, counter-terrorism and counter-smuggling operations in the Middle East.
Lieutenant Commander Samaniego of the Rayo said ‘it is an honour to be on the same side’.
‘Thank you very much for a safe and successful evolution’, he said as the RAS concluded and the two ships said ‘fair winds and following seas’ (Naval jargon for farewell.)
