Five members of the Plymouth and District Branch attended the steel cutting for the first FSS ship at Appledore on Wednesday. Attendees included the President of Navantia (who own the Appledore yard), Ricardo Dominguez, Sir Alan Massey, a Non Exec Director of Navantia UK (a former Vice Admiral), Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, and Commodore Sam Shattock, Head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. All four gave speeches. During Commodore Shattock's speech, he announced the name of the first ship as RFA RESURGENT (a great choice). Also in attendance were local MP's, staff from the MOD including a number of serving HQ RFA officers and many of the current workforce. On arrival at Appledore, we were provided with a much needed hot drink before the speeches and then we witnessed the steel cut ceremony - just two circular holes using the plasma cutter for the time being as construction proper does not commence until the spring. Appledore is building the bow sections of all three ships. On conclusion of the ceremony we were provided with a buffet lunch and a tour of the covered yard and dock. It was a great event and a privilege to have been invited and whilst the ships will be over 20 years late, their arrival will be a much needed boost for the RFA.
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