RFA Wave Knight Returns From Six-Month Middle East Mission

RFA Wave Knight has returned to UK waters after spending six months in the Middle East, supporting allied warships in the fight against terrorism, the Royal Navy has said.

The 196-metre tanker was used as a 'floating service station' to provide fuel to other ships, according to the Navy. 

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessel helped support Royal Navy and coalition operations east of the Suez Canal, as well as NATO's security mission in the Mediterranean. 

Captain Simon Herbert, RFA Wave Knight's Commanding Officer, said the ship and her crew made an "important contribution".

During the deployment, RFA Wave Knight topped up ships from Britain, France, Spain and the US.

In total, she pumped 12,276 cubic metres of ship fuel (12,276,000 litres) which is enough to fill more than 220,000 family cars or more than 21.5 million pint glasses, according to the Navy.

The tanker also refuelled allied military helicopters and aircraft.

RFA Wave Knight's fuel tanks will be pumped out at the fuel depot in Loch Striven, Scotland, where she is due to arrive next weekend.

After that, she will sail to Devonport to offload remaining stores and supplies, before sailing to Birkenhead at the end of March to begin a refit.

The ship has spent seven months away from home in total, six of them in the Middle East, travelling more than 24,000 miles.