Blue Rover was the support tanker for the Royal Yacht's tour of the Pacific during 1971-2, and had to be towed to Singapore by Britannia, after losing her rudder.
1973 Clyde tanker and first WIGS deployment. Falklands campaign in 1982, being based at South Georgia as station oiler for a time. She was taken out of service in February 1993. Blue Rover was sold to the Portuguese Navy in March 1993 and renamed Berrio.
Photo San Carlos Water 1986.
Rover Class Small Fleet Replenishment Tankers. Built 1969 - 1974. 6931 dwt. Gold and Black still in service.
RFA Green Rover A268 (sold Indonesia). RFA Grey Rover A269. RFA Blue Rover A270 (sold Portugal). RFA Gold Rover A 271. RFA Black Rover A273.
Length overall: 461ft. Beam: 63ft. Draught: 24ft. Depth: 33ft 6in
Machinery: 2 x 16-cylinder Ruston & Hornsby diesels, 16,000bhp, on first three vessels, later replaced by 2 x 16-cylinder Crossley-Pielstick PA4 diesels, 15,382bhp; Gold Rover, Black Rover were fitted with 2 x 16-cylinder Crossley-Pielstick PA4 diesels, 15,360bhp; single shaft, bow thruster Speed: 18 knots Range: 15,000 miles / 15 knots Armament: 2 x 20mm Oerlikon, 2 x 7.62mm MG Aircraft: Helicopter deck, no hangar Complement: 54
