Guidance
[Withdrawn] RFA Fort Austin sales summary
Published 21 May 2021
© Crown copyright 2021
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Dated: 05 May 2021. Where lying: Bidston docks Birkenhead UK
General particulars
| Date and Place of Build | Scott Lithgow, Greenock. Launched March 1978. Commisioned May 1979 |
| Date ceased operational service | 31 March 21 |
| Type of Vessel | Fleet Replenishment Ship (ASFH) |
| Summary of condition | Good |
| Displacements & Weights in Tonnes | Current Displacement:17868 Gross: 20043 Net: 6012 DWT: 8300 Lightweight:14654 |
| Estimated metal weight | 9,026 tonnes |
| Estimated metal % | 62% of lightship weight |
| Draughts | Fwd 6.5m Aft 7.7m |
| Length | OA 184.1 BP 170 |
| Beam | 24m |
| Max. OA height Mast-head (obstruction light)to keel. | 49.42m (Sat C antenna). |
| Last Docking | February 2017 Cammell Laird, Birkenhead |
| Repair and refit periods | 2017 Cammell Laird Birkenhead |
Hull and structure
| Propeller | Single 4 bladed fixed pitch RH turning – phosphor bronze. Dia: 6m Weight: 24.64 tonnes. Spare bolted to forward screen. |
| Bow Props | Athwartships thruster Spec: 1120KW(HP) |
| Shaft & Gland | Single shaft, mechanically locked. Glands hard up and dry. |
| Rudder | Single rudder. Hydraulically locked amidships. Not oil filled. |
| Stabilisers | None fitted |
| Logs | Not in use. |
| Sonar | None fitted. |
| Bilge Keels | Project 1m from hull round-down – they do not project beyond the hull profile. |
| Hull valves | Wired shut |
| Hull condition | Good condition |
| Paint coatings UW hull: Internal: Upper hull & superstructure: | Non TBT silicon AF coating applied. Good condition Good condition. Good condition |
| Accommodation | Soft furnishings largely removed – carpets remain. |
Deck Gear
| Anchors | Two type AC14 (5 tonnes each) connected fwd. |
| Chain Cable | 70mm, 605m long chain cable: Currently in lockers; Stbd 11 shackles remain, Port 11 shackles remain. |
| Towing | Purchaser to arrange. Ship is largely rigged from previous tow to Portsmouth. Smit Brackets fitted forward. |
| Bollards/Bits | Appear sound |
| Cordage | None considered fit for use. |
| Davits | Weatherdeck boat davits. None fit for use. |
| Boats | 4 x lifeboats remain in hoisted and stowed position |
| SOLAS | None |
Machinery and Systems –Will not be in working condition at sales transfer
| Auxiliary Boilers | 2 x Aalborg Mission – Spec: 4500 kg per Hour (Each) |
| Main Engines | Single Sulzer 8RND90 (obsolete) rated 23200BHP. Direct drive to propeller. |
| Generators | 4 x W20 Wartsila Diesel Generators rayed at 1360KW’s each. |
| Auxiliaries and Pumps | A variety of pumps: Electrical, diesel and hydraulically driven. Not working. Woking at time of de-commission with any defects recorded, See defect list in DRSO Form 1 |
| Electrical | Not certified safe for use. |
| Steering Gear | Rotary vane steering gear hydraulically locked amidships. |
| Lifts | Not fit for use. |
| Electronic & Sensors | Propriety commercial types. Majority removed or not in use. |
| GMDSS | Removed as reported on DRSO Form 1 – Enclosure 4 |
| Batteries | Every effort made to remove all on board. |
| Fire-Fighting | All portable fire appliances removed. Fixed systems remain in place but are not operational nor maintained. |
| Sanitary | STP and system cleaned and decommissioned. |
Documentation
| Certification | Expired. |
| Drawings - Main | Paper type on board. Limited electronic GA drawings available |
| Operating Manuals | Hard copies remain onboard. |
| Historical | None |
Stability, Ballasting and Tank Contents
| Tanks, oils and Ballasting Summary | Total liquid ballast loading is detailed on the “Form 1” tank statement copy attached) dated 10 March 2017. Liquid embarked is 3144.09 tonnes of which 3128.34 tonnes is Fresh water as ballast. Main fuel storage tanks and sewage treatment tanks have been cleaned – some residual oils will remain in pipework and may re-enter tanks. |
| Stability Summary | Will be made stable for tow, subject to purchaser’s agreement. |