08 Feb 2001
Ref: 015/2001
Wave Ruler, the new oiler for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, will be
launched at the BAE Systems Marine shipyard at Govan on the Clyde
tomorrow (February 9).
Wave Ruler’s primary role will be the replenishment at sea
of fuel and fresh water for Royal Navy and NATO ships. She has an
unladen displacement of 12,500 tonnes, and is 196m long, with a
breadth of 28m. She carries a complement of 80 RFA plus 22 naval
personnel.
Her sister vessel, Wave Knight, was launched at BAE Systems Marine’s
shipyard at Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, in September 2000, and is
currently fitting out.
Wave Ruler will be named by Ms. Elaine Dumelow, wife of Defence
Secretary Geoff Hoon. Principal guests at the launch, which is timed
to take place at 1320, include the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Nigel
Essenhigh, Controller of the Navy Rear Admiral Nigel Guild and Commodore
Peter Lannin of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Senior BAE Systems representatives
will be John Weston, chief executive of BAE Systems, Terry Morgan,
managing director of BAE Systems Operations, and Simon Kirby, managing
director of BAE Systems Marine.
Simon Kirby said: “This is an exciting day for everyone at
the yard, for our customers, and for the Govan community. Wave Ruler
has played a significant role in our efforts to try to ensure a
future for shipbuilding on the Clyde, and the fact that her build
programme is meeting all major milestones on time is a testament
to the skills and commitment of the workforce. We now look forward
to taking her on to completion, and producing a ship in which the
RFA and ourselves can take great pride.
