Originally published on 27/10/2017, this is part of a series that I promised may take a while to complete. I was right!
This is part of a recollection of “Some things I’ve done that you probably haven’t.”
Number 2, Transferred between Royal Naval ships at sea by Jackstay, and 3, Transferred between Royal Naval ships at sea by helicopter can be recounted together because normally, when you go on a journey, you want to end up back where you started!
When I was posted to Gibraltar we (The Army) often entertained Royal Naval personnel when they had shore leave. We invited them to functions in the various messes (Officers Mess/Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess/Other ranks Mess, and we invited them to dine with us, often arranging a special dinner.
In return, they reciprocated, and we were often invited on board ship.
I came to know several of the Petty Officers of HMS Charybdis quite well, during 1976. I was invited to spend time at sea with the ship, in an exchange with a member of the ship’s crew, where we swapped jobs for a few days.
Life on board a Royal Naval vessel is unlike anything you may imagine. Space is at a premium and everything has to be stowed away to maximise space, and to ensure there are no hazards created by loose gear.
Before departing from any port, the ship must be fully provisioned with fuel, stores, ammunition, food, and a myriad of items you wouldn’t even begin to think of. This is to ensure that, should the vessel be called upon to sail into conflict, or to aid others, it can proceed immediately, without having to stock up first. There is a good deal of manual labour involved in this, and the whole ships company (of 260 in this case) is put to work, less a few essential personnel. It is hard work, and I experienced it!
Imagine having to stock a freezer so you can retrieve food, to feed 260 hungry people for 2 months, when you can only reach things right at the front. Just where do you put all those potato sacks, carrots, toilet rolls, extra large cans, butter, fat, oil, flour, spices. The list is huge, as is the quantity. You cannot run out.
I shall not go into disposal of waste, recycling, or what can, under international law, be discharged into the sea. I mention it only because sometimes it flies off the ship!
Whilst at sea it is sometimes necessary to load, or offload personnel, or materiel.
This may be for changes in personnel, removal of severely ill, or deceased, replenishment of food, fuel, supplies, and the removal of waste for disposal, or recycling.
The Royal Navy is supported at sea by Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels.
The RFA is staffed by civilians, and they have a variety of ships that can supply fuel and stores, effect repairs at sea, and even supply hospital facilities. They have a helicopter on board, and also cranes mounted on either side.
Most modern warships have a helicopter on board, or a helipad that can receive a visiting helicopter so stores can be transferred from one vessel to another by underslung load. However, there is a restriction on how much weight can be carried that way, and it is an expensive method of resupply.
The alternative method of transfer is by Jackstay, a method of using ropes and pulleys to carry personnel and materiel between vessels.
The light jackstay, employing human power, is used for transferring personnel, provisions, and light stores with a maximum load of about 250kg. The hauling end of the jackstay is manned by up to 25 hands. The other end is secured by a grommet strop to slip in the receiving ship. A traveller block is hauled back and forth along the jackstay wire by an in–haul rope in the receiving ship and an out–haul rope in the delivering ship manned by up to six crew in each ship. Working distance limits are normally between 24–61 meters with a normal working distance of about 34 meters.
The heavy Jackstay, uses steel ropes for transfer of heavier loads, or to support feed pipes during transfer of fuel or water. Normally a powered winch is used.
The ropes are passed from one ship to the other by first firing a thin twine by rifle and pulling this across, with increasing thickness of twine, then cord, then rope.
Ships are unstable platforms when stopped in most seas and it is extremely dangerous to bring two ships directly alongside one another. All transfers are therefore done with the ships steaming side by side, in to the wind, at a distance determined by the state of the seas. It is a hazardous operation and constant adjustment is needed to ensure identical speed, and to ensure the distance between vessels does nor vary. The procedure needs to be practiced often to ensure the crew knows exactly what to do when the need arises. It is the ultimate in team work!
This is how I came to “volunteer” for my first, and only, experience of transfer at sea by Jackstay, and return by helicopter. I was one of a dozen.
Having watched others being hauled across from Charybdis to another visiting Frigate, it was soon my turn. Apart from a little dampness from sea spray I arrived safely on the other ship and was hurried along to the stern to jump into the helicopter for the return trip. This was only my second flight in a helicopter. The whole procedure took less than 30 minutes, but was very exhilarating!
Flights by small helicopter are normally from, and to, a stable surface, and the take off pattern is normally a vertical lift into the air, transferring into forward flight whilst gaining height. Larger helicopters use a running takeoff and landing whenever possible.
Taking off from, and landing on, a ship at sea, entails a helipad moving at quite a speed, often with buffeting wind, and large chunks of solid metal very close by. It is a very specialised skill!
On take off, the aircraft has to rise off the pad and move to the left, or right, immediately moving away from the vessel.
Landing is the more difficult skill. The helicopter must approach the vessel from the rear and then fly, at the speed of the ship, slightly to the left or right of the helipad. It then has to move slowly across so that it is hovering above the pad, but is, in fact, still flying forwards at the speed of the vessel. It must then drop down on to the moving deck, immediately ceasing forward flight.
Naval pilots, I salute you!
To the crews of both vessels, Thank you for not getting me wet!
HMS Charybdis was affectionately called “The Cherry B.” Hence the cherry tree on the ship’s plaque.
Light Jackstay information courtesy of: MacFarlane, John M. (2013) Jackstay Transfer (Replenishment) at Sea. Nauticapedia.ca 2013. http://nauticapedia.ca/Articles/Jackstay_Transfer.php
Scary stuff. You’re a braver man than I. I would never trust a helicopter and wouldn’t fancy crossing ship to ship like that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was a bit younger then. I get giddy climbing stairs now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exhilarating….yes it sounds it! Very interesting. We just don’t know the half of what those lads do. It must be wonderful to be able to perform such a skill. Makes me think about all our guys who went through WW2. How brave and how amazing they were. Thanks, Peter!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sadly, exhilarating becomes mundane after repeated exposure to anything so the senses are dulled. Thinking back, that is a great pity!
LikeLike
Nor me. As a disorganised landlubber, easily seasick and not good at heights, I think I wouldn’t have got through any assessment designed to see if I’d prove useful. Best that way. For everyone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought Yorkshire lasses were ‘up fer owt’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nay lad. I’m old and decrepit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Feeding 260 men for two months was quite a challenge, Peter. Even with our small extra freezer, my husband said put the often use items on top, but everything is used regularly!!
What an experience you had and the memories of a life time.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I was very lucky to be able to experience lots of different things on a once only basis.
LikeLike
Great, Peter. Not everyone had that opportunity. Experience like yours made you see live differently.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was scared just reading about it! Thank goodness there are brave people that serve. You’ve had some amazing experiences.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now I’m just a regular old codger!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved reading this! What a challenge to be constantly having to feed so many, and in, I would assume, fairly tricky conditions at time. Love the thought of going on a helicopter … The other day, I was staying with friends and as the mother and son arrived at the house (located in The Hamptons) it transpired that they had come via helicopter. An eight year old taking a helicopter trip! I felt so small and dare I say it, jealous of this small boy complaining about how noisy it had been! Oh how I’d have loved to have tried it! Wonderful writing and so lovely to hear the detail of it all … thrilling to have a view into another world. Best wishes, Katie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must agree with the young lad. Most helicopters are really noisy, and often very cold!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life at sea sounds simple and uncomplicated. Why add in constant variables like solid land and extra of space?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who need space. Space is for sissies!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Preach!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story, and very well articulated Peter… haha, my sea voyages consist of holiday cruises around the Pacific Islands, navy life would be far too hard foe me !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ivor.
LikeLike
Very interesting. I am not sure I would have the courage to try it but it certainly sounds exciting. Maybe your description is enough fodder for a nightmare? We shall see!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope not!
LikeLike
What a fascinating experience. Particularly the act of ships and helicopters travelling at high speeds while synchronising to be stationary wrt each other
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is the sort of inbuilt human ability that is fascinating. Like being able to judge traffic speeds to cross the road safely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, this Yorkshire lass would have been up for it! 🤣
I enjoyed this series the first time around, and I’m glad you’re giving it another airing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue. I’ve booked you in for next Thursday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, just heard the ship is in lockdown!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Never mind, I’ll try again next year 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wowza and EEK! 😮 But so interesting!!! What brave, dedicated, well-trained lads…all of you! Thank you for sharing your experiences and memories with us, Peter! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to fly in a helicopter. Almost got a chance once…long story…but it didn’t work out. Darn. 🙂
(((HUGS)))
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been lucky (?) in that I’ve had more than my fair share of helicopter journeys. There is no reason why you can’t book a trip with friends once the restrictions are relaxed, although that could be some time away!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love trying new things and would have loved to do this transfer. You were very brave! Bravo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, you’ve done the helicopter ride so you’re half way there!
LikeLike
.. and bungee jumps, paragliding, hot air balloon, gliding, seaplane, tandem parachute jump …
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that more than counts as a jackstay transfer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got the chills just seeing the photo of the transfer. Give me a nice plank to get aboard any time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had visions there of you walking the plank!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh NO. Just the normal one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting! I wouldn’t want to be a passenger landing on a ship by helicopter. there’s not much room for error.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How about an ISS resupply flight. Now there’s a bit of precision flying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these stories Peter. You are correct, I have never done this! Yet 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fascinating read, thanks Peter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
GOSH!!! That had to be more thrilling than zip-lining!!! WOW! HOW COOL! Thank You so much for Your service, Peter, and for sharing Your wonderful stories!!! I had never even thought about the amount of work that would go into preparing a ship for sea!!! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wait. Didn’t I just comment on this post? On another post? LOL…
Big time salute to those helicopter pilots. I’m thinking not any old pilot will do!
And what an exciting trip that must have been for you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your experiences what a life!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person