A&P Falmouth welcomed a number of high-profile visitors yesterday to mark the multi-million pound refit of RFA Mounts Bay – the first ship in her class to undergo a refit.
Among the guests attending the reception on board RFA Mounts Bay were Lady Sarah Band, the ship’s sponsor; former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Jonathon Band; Captain Toby Williamson, officer commanding RNAS Culdrose; MP Sarah Newton; and Cornwall Council’s chief executive Kevin Lavery. They toured the dockyard and Mounts Bay, before attending a reception on board.
The MOD has a 30-year contract with ship repairers A&P to provide upkeep support to some of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships worth more than £300 million. Mounts Bay is the first ship in the Bay-class to have a refit, five years after she was launched by Lady Sarah Band.
Peter Child, Managing Director of A&P Falmouth, said: “The Ministry of Defence has strong ties with Falmouth and we are delighted to celebrate the continuing success of the partnership between A&P Falmouth and the RFA.”
Captain Joe Richardson, chief engineer officer on RFA Mounts Bay, added: “Mounts Bay is the first ship in her class to undergo a major refit and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what has been achieved.
“We are delighted to welcome Lady Sarah and Sir Jonathon Band to Falmouth – the ship’s affiliated town. It’s wonderful to be here to acknowledge the successes of the RFA and A&P Falmouth.”
Refit work started in April and is expected to be complete by August 27.
