USNS Spica (ex RFA Tarbatness, USS Petersen Italian tug Muletto.

1971?

No 1986 (or maybe 84 or 85). Taken from Grey Rover and I was there for two years.

I was on her until Aug 71, then she went on a sales tour. I don't offhand recall when she was transferred to the US, but the lifeboats are missing and there is a helo control box above the hanger which again she didn't have when in RFA service.so this shot was taken after the transfer had taken place.

No hangar in her RFA career, and MSC funnel bands.

She was transferred on 30 Sept 1981.

A sad day, Lancastrian.

'Spica' pulled alongside us on 'Midway' many times in the 80s, as I recall. I must have unhooked hundreds of sling-loads from her helicopters...