Captain RFA. But...

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Captain RFA. But...

Postby E28 » Tue Nov 05, 2013 7:33 pm

Here you have one individual, a Captain in the RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary), who during many years as a seafarer has been Captain of numerous RFA ships.

I was intrigued, and totally mystified, why, as a Captain, he is referred as the following within a few paragraphs.

1 - Command of RFA Ships Name.
2 - took ownership of Ships Name.
3 - New Build RFA Ships Name and remained as owner Captain until date.

Ships Name above is the real Ships Name which all differed.

Maybe those with a good grasp of mercantile phraseology could shed some light on these variations.
Thats all folks. Sean.
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Re: Captain RFA. But...

Postby magoonigal » Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:31 pm

1 - Command of RFA Ships Name.
2 - took ownership of Ships Name.
3 - New Build RFA Ships Name and remained as owner Captain until date.
You do come up with some interesting things, Sean. :|

Could be the Guy who wrote it did not know what he was talking about either.

But lets have a go.....

The RFA was initially a "Shipping Company" set up by the Admiralty to supply its Warships. Ships were Owned by the Admiralty and were civilian manned just like any other Company.
The Merchant Navy priviledge of permitting wives to be carried on RFAs only started to be phased out on the 31st December 1987.
Up until 1988 the "Boss" was the Captain, however after that date his new title was Commanding Officer, so he would be know as Commanding Officer of the Royal Fleet Auxilliary Olwen............say.

As to 2 and 3.
He could be Standing By a new ship being built by Swan Hunter say. The ship would still be Owned by Swan Hunter whilst she was on her Sea Trials. On sucessfull completion of her Sea Trials the ship could be handed over to the Captain, who for legal reasons could also be called the Owner until she was Officially Commissioned at another Port. Then she would be fully owned by the Admiralty.
Paul Hood. + WSS Tyneside Branch Hon Sec.
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