RFA Diligence Undertakes Frontline Security Duties
RFA shows versatility of vessel as she takes a break from repair role...

MANAMA, BAHRAIN - British Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship RFA Diligence (A132) recently took a break from her usual role as forward repair ship in order to undertake front line maritime security duties in one of the world's busiest and most important shipping environments.

During periods of availability in her normal schedule supporting Royal Navy units in the region, the 10,765-tonne vessel has been assigned to Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150).

CTF 150 is the counter-terrorism and maritime security mission of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a global maritime partnership tasked with promoting security and stability in Middle Eastern waters.

CTF 150 tasked Diligence with monitoring various vessels of interest and with undertaking 'pattern of life' operations. These involve building a complete picture of the maritime environment, such as daily shipping movements and fishing activities, in order to identify behavior that could indicate piracy, smuggling, terrorism or other illegal activities.

Diligence also worked closely alongside other warships assigned to CTF 150, including U.S. destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, Pakistan frigate PNS Khaibar (formerly HMS Arrow) and French frigate FS Commadant Bouan.

In training exercises, Diligence acted as a suspect vessel for boarding teams from the other vessels to search. As way of appreciation, each ship offered Diligence the opportunity to 'cross deck' enabling RFA personnel to spend time board aboard a foreign warship, sharing experiences with counterparts.

Source : http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk