RFA Grey Rover (A269) was a Rover-class tanker small fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). She was decommissioned in 2006.

Launch and commissioning

Grey Rover was launched at the Swan Hunter yard, Hebburn on Tyne, on 17 April 1969. The Lady Sponsor was Lady Parker, the wife of Vice Admiral Sir John Parker who was Flag Officer Medway. She was completed on 10 April 1970 and accepted into service three months later than planned.

Operational history

1970–1980

In September 1970, Grey Rover took over from RFAUX Black Ranger (A163) as Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) tanker. In July 1973, she was involved in a collision with the Canadian submarine HMCS Okanagan resulting in the need to dry dock in Govan for repairs. Between 17 June and 22 June 1976 she stood off the Lebanon to evacuate British nationals along with RFAUX Stromness (A344) and the frigates HMS Exmouth (F84) and HMS Mermaid (F76).

1981–1990

During Operation Corporate (the Falklands War), Grey Rover was the only operational RFA tanker which remained in UK waters. She carried out replenishment at sea (RAS) trials with STUFT ships en route to the Falkland Islands in the southwest approaches to the English Channel whilst herself was based at Portland. The smallest vessel worked with was the trawler FV Farnella and the largest was the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth 2.

1991–2000

In January 1994, Grey Rover berthed at Cape Town, South Africa, in company with HMS Norfolk (F230) for a five-day visit. Both ships were open to the public and 53,000 visitors were received on board both ships. Grey Rover's last refit was 15 June–27 November 1998 which extended her service life into the 21st century.

2001–2006

On 2 February 2006, while supporting the Type 42 destroyer HMS Southampton (D90) in the Caribbean as part of Atlantic Patrol Task (North), Grey Rover was involved in the boarding of merchant vessel MV Rampage and the seizure of 3.5 t of cocaine with an estimated street value of £350 million. In November 2004, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement Lord Bach announced that Grey Rover would have a decommissioning date of 2007. She paid off early on 15 March 2006 and was towed to Canada Dock, Liverpool for scrapping.