A&P Falmouth has completed a multi-million pound refit of Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus as part of the company’s through life support “cluster” contract with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Work started on January 21 this year and was completed at the end of last month, involving an average of 200 A&P staff during the six month contract.
The work included upgrading lifeboats and davits, overhaul of the main engines, installation of an incinerator and shredder, new engine control systems, refurbishment of the ship’s hospital and a five-year paint and preservation package.
A&P Falmouth’s contract with the MoD for the long-term maintenance of RFA ships was originally signed in 2008 and earlier this year was extended by five years, taking it to 2018 following a value for money review.
‘Grey’ ships now account for 50% of A&P Falmouth’s business.
Gerald Pitts, A&P’s cluster director, said: “It’s been a real team effort between A&P and the Ministry of Defence.
“This was an intricate job but thanks to meticulous planning, design development and equipment procurement that the cluster contract affords us, together with the excellent project management and hard work from the workforce, we’re delighted to have completed this complex refit.”
In addition to RFA Argus under the cluster contract, A&P Falmouth also provides ‘through life support’ including refit and maintenance periods to RFA Mounts Bay, Cardigan Bay and Lyme Bay.
Lyme Bay is in Falmouth now undergoing routine maintenance, while RFA Mounts Bay is due in Falmouth towards the end of the month for further equipment upgrades before deployment and Argus will be back in August for final checks before deployment.
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