TIDEPOOL

My first and last ship whilst in the RFA. I stood by her build at Hawthorne Leslie in 1963 and sailed on her for 18 months. In 1970 after being made T/A senior leckie to bring Resource back from Malta I reverted back to first leckie to join Tidepool for this trip to Rotterdam. I left the outfit after arriving back to the UK. Also did a spell on her mid 60s when we in the Gulf of Tonkin refuelling the US carrier Coral Sea. This was not spoken about at the time.

While serving on board Resource do you recall medical officer George Wilson?

Dab
What's a T/A senior leckie?

Temporary Acting.

Thank you O.S.

Sorry Cranfield do not recall name. A photo might help. I joined Resource fitting out at Scotts in 1967 and did 18 months on her before rejoining in Malta November 1970.

I would be interested on views of ex Tide boat crew, as to which was the most popular / reliable, Tidespring or Tidepool?

Having sailed on both I can honestly say there was nothing between them. Tidepool was my favourite simply because she was my first ship. I left when they were 7/8 years old. Tidepool went on to have an extended life with the Chilean navy after the Falklands war.

Thanks Dab. I briefly worked with Tidespring in the mid 80's, she was our support tanker 'up north' in those lovely cold war sub hunts. She was a tired lady by then, huge rust patches and holes in the deck, however she was a firm favourite with the detached flight (814 squadron) preferred even to the popular 'O' boats.

Flight crews loved the RFAs because of the accommodation. Each had their own cabin. I think the more relaxed atmosphere also went a long way to their enjoyment.