View source for RFA Wave Ruler (A390)

{{Short description|2003 Wave-class fast fleet tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary}}
{{other ships|RFA Wave Ruler}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2013}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=RFA Wave Ruler (A390).jpg
|Ship caption=''Wave Ruler'' underway with a [[United States Coast Guard]] [[Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin]] helicopter embarked
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval-RFA}}
|Ship name=RFA ''Wave Ruler''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship owner=
|Ship operator=[[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
|Ship registry=
|Ship route=
|Ship ordered=12 March 1997
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=*[[Kvaerner Govan]]
* [[BAE Systems Marine]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=
|Ship way number=
|Ship launched=9 February 2001
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=27 April 2003
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship maiden voyage=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=''Planned by March 2025''
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=[[HMNB Devonport]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 April 2021|title=FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/743903/response/1777888/attach/3/FOI2021%2003678%20Response.pdf?cookie_passthrough=1|access-date=1 June 2023|website=What do they know?}}</ref>
|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|9168609}}
* {{MMSI Number|235519000}}
* [[Maritime call sign|Callsign]]: GCVR
* [[Pennant number]] A390
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=
|Ship honors=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=
|Ship status= Extended readiness (uncrewed reserve)<ref>{{cite news |title=Why has the Royal Navy decommissioned 6 ships in a year? |url=https://www.navylookout.com/why-has-the-royal-navy-decommissioned-6-ships-in-a-year/ |access-date=24 March 2023 |work=Navy Lookout |date=23 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/wave-class-tankers-to-remain-in-extended-readiness-to-2028/ |title=Wave class tankers to remain in extended readiness to 2028 |website=UK Defence Journal |last=Allison |first=George |date=17 June 2023}}</ref>
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=[[File:RFA Wave Ruler ship's badge.jpg|100px]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=<ref name="Janes">''Jane's Fighting Ships, 2004–2005''. Jane's Information Group Limited. p. 817. {{ISBN|0-7106-2623-1}}.</ref><ref name="RN">[https://web.archive.org/web/20090805030447/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/ ''Wave'' Class Fast Fleet Tankers at the Royal Navy homepage] </ref><ref name="navtec">{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/wave/ |title=Wave Class Royal Fleet Auxiliary |website=naval-technology.com |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>
|Ship class={{sclass2|Wave|tanker||ship}}
|Ship type=
|Ship displacement=31,500 tonnes approx
|Ship length={{cvt|196.5|m|ftin}}
|Ship beam={{cvt|28.25|m|ftin}}
|Ship draught={{cvt|9.97|m|ftin}}
|Ship propulsion={{Wave class tanker propulsion}}
|Ship speed={{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range={{cvt|10000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn|0}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship capacity={{Wave class tanker capacity}}
|Ship complement=80 Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel with provision for 22 Royal Navy personnel for helicopter and weapons systems operations
|Ship sensors=*Surface search: E/F band
* Navigation: KH 1077, I-band
* IFF: Type 1017
|Ship EW=[[Seagnat|Sea Gnat]] decoy launcher system<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-to-equip-19-ships-with-trainable-decoy-launchers/ |title=Royal Navy to equip 19 ships with trainable decoy launchers |work= Navy Lookout |date=29 April 2024 |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>
|Ship armament=
* 2 × DS30B 30 mm cannon;
* 2 × 7.62 mm Mk.44 [[minigun]]s (retired 2023);<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navylookout.com/in-focus-the-50-cal-heavy-machine-gun-in-royal-navy-service/ |title=In focus: the 50 cal heavy machine gun in Royal Navy service |publisher=Navy Lookout |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref>
* 5 × [[FN MAG|7.62 mm L7]] machine guns;
* 2 × [[Vulcan Phalanx]] CIWS (all weapons removed given uncrewed reserve status)
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=1 × [[AgustaWestland EH101|Merlin]] helicopter with full hangar facilities
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''RFA ''Wave Ruler''''' is a {{sclass2|Wave|tanker|0|ship}} [[oiler (ship)|fast fleet tanker]] of the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] (RFA) of the [[United Kingdom]] tasked with providing fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to [[Royal Navy]] vessels around the world.

''Wave Ruler'' was built by [[Kvaerner Govan]] (after 1999, [[BAE Systems Marine]]) and [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] in 2001. She was accepted into service in 2003 and is the second ship to bear this name in RFA service. ''Wave Ruler'' and her sister {{RFAux|Wave Knight|A389|2}}, were designed to replace {{RFAux|Olna|A123|2}} and {{RFAux|Olwen|A122|2}}, two 36,000-ton {{sclass2|Ol|tanker|0|ship}} fast fleet tankers which were built at [[Swan Hunter]] and [[Hawthorn Leslie]] in the 1960s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rfaaplymouth.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=128 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727215115/http://rfaaplymouth.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=128 |archive-date=27 July 2011 |title=Olynthus Class |website=rfaaplymouth.org |access-date=29 August 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Wave Ruler'' was the last tanker commissioned into the RFA until {{RFAux|Tidespring|A136|6}} became operational in late 2017.

==Design and description==
[[File:Stern view of RFA Wave Ruler (A-390) refueling USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) 70303-N-5459S-007.jpg|thumb|left|''Wave Ruler'' refueling {{USS|Donald Cook}} in the [[Atlantic]], 2007]]
''Wave Ruler'' has a standard crew of 80 [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] personnel with provision for a further 22 [[Royal Navy]] personnel to conduct helicopter and weapons systems operations.<ref name="navtec" /> She carries a full medical team and sick bay and is capable of distributing 2,000 emergency relief packages in times of crisis.<ref name="navynews.co.uk">http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/1251-lynx-flies-the-atlantic.aspx {{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The ship has the capability to supply fuel and other liquid cargo to vessels using [[Underway replenishment|replenishment]] rigs on port and starboard beams and through a Hudson reel-type stern rig. When providing support for amphibious operations, ''Wave Ruler'' is also able to deliver fuel to [[Dracone Barge|dracones]] positioned alongside. In addition to fuel, the ship carries ammunition and other stores which can be transferred while underway. She can operate a [[AgustaWestland EH101|Merlin HM1]] helicopter, or other helicopters of similar size, from a hangar and flight deck at the stern.<ref name="navtec"/>

==Operational history==
===2003–2010===

September 2004 saw ''Wave Ruler'' deployed to the [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] to provide hurricane relief operations.<ref name="navtec"/>

In 2006 the ship carried out three major [[cocaine]] seizures at sea. In September it recovered £64m of cocaine from an estimated cargo of £500m, after the crew of the fishing boat carrying the drugs set it on fire. On 2 November the ship and its accompanying [[Royal Marines]] captured {{convert|3|t|lk=on}} of cocaine worth £300m. On 29 November it seized a further {{convert|2.9|t}}, again from a fishing boat. All the raids took place in the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6195304.stm |title=Royal Navy in cocaine drug bust |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2006 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_headline=navy-grabs--pound-300m-coke-&method=full&objectid=18031246&siteid=94762-name_page.html |title=Navy Grabs £300M Coke |work=The Mirror |last=Hughes |first=Chris |date=2 November 2006 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>
{{stack|
[[File:US Navy 070409-N-5459S-082 From right to left, RFA Wave Ruler (A390), USS Mahan (DDG 72), CS Almirante Latorre (FFG 14), FGS Sachsen (F 219), and USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) navigate together in formation during an exercise.jpg|thumb|''Wave Ruler'' (foreground), {{USS|Mahan|DDG-72|6}}, [[HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck (1983)|''Almirante Latorre'']], {{ship|German frigate|Sachsen||2}}, and {{USS|Samuel B. Roberts|FFG-58|6}} navigate together in formation during an exercise.]]
[[File:Wave Ruler refuels Robert G Bradley.jpg|thumb|''Wave Ruler'' (background) refuels {{USS|Robert G. Bradley|FFG-49|6}} in the Pacific Ocean]]
}}
On 31 August 2008 ''Wave Ruler'' was dispatched with {{HMS|Iron Duke|F234|6}} to assist relief efforts in the Caribbean for the Atlantic [[Hurricane Gustav]]. The vessels distributed food, water and first aid supplies to victims of the disaster as well as providing support restoring local infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7589536.stm|title=Navy ships help after hurricane |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2008 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> On 3 October 2008 the ship docked in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]]. This was only the second time since the country's revolution 50 years earlier that a Royal Navy ship had visited the country. The five-day stay was part of an ongoing anti-drugs operation in the Caribbean, which saw the ship spend much of 2005–2008 in the region, confiscating over {{convert|13|t}} of cocaine in total.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7653121.stm |title=Cuba welcomes RN anti-drug ship |work=BBC News |date=5 October 2008 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> On 8 November 2008 the ship was sent to the [[Cayman Islands]] to provide humanitarian relief assistance in the wake of [[Hurricane Paloma]].<ref name=caycompass>{{cite web|url=http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1035068|title=5am update: Storm causes damage, slams Sister Islands|work=Caymanian Compass|date=8 November 2008|accessdate=8 November 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081112021903/http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1035068|archivedate=12 November 2008}}</ref>

In June 2009, she took part in exercise Bersama Shield with {{HMS|Ocean|L12|6}} and {{HMS|Somerset|F82|6}} off the [[Malay Peninsula]].<ref>http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/445-task-force-raises-its-shield.aspx {{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

During February 2010, ''Wave Ruler'' and the destroyer {{HMS|York|D98|6}} were deployed to the [[Falkland Islands]] during a period of increased tension between the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Argentina]] over the former's plans to begin drilling for oil in the seas surrounding the islands. While in the [[South Atlantic]], ''Wave Ruler'' took part in the rescue of an [[Kiribati|I-Kiribati]] sailor who was taken seriously ill, refuelling an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] [[No. 1564 Flight RAF|1564 Search and Rescue Flight]] [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] helicopter while in flight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/rfa-wave-ruler/news/naval-rescue-in-the-south-atlantic |url-status=dead |title=Naval Rescue in the South Atlantic |publisher=Royal Navy |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20101001110155/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/rfa-wave-ruler/news/naval-rescue-in-the-south-atlantic |archive-date=1 October 2010 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> The deployment also saw the ships visit [[Southern Thule]] in the [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands|Southern Sandwich Islands]], the first British warships to visit the islands for nearly 10 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8521429.stm |title=Gordon Brown says UK is prepared in Falkland Islands |work=BBC News |date=18 February 2010 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/783-hms-york-at-worlds-end.aspx |title=Zend Framework Default Application |access-date=31 March 2011 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315121323/http://www.navynews.co.uk/news/783-hms-york-at-worlds-end.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> November 2010 saw the vessel back in the Caribbean, where she distributed {{cvt|160|t}} of fresh water and 32,000 water purification tablets in [[St Lucia]] after the effects of [[Hurricane Tomas]]. The deployment also saw the vessel visit [[Antigua]] and the [[British Overseas Territory]] of [[Grand Cayman]].<ref>http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/royal-fleet-auxiliary/rfa-flotilla/fast-fleet-tankers/rfa-wave-ruler/news/rfa_wave_ruler_visit.htm {{dead link|date=August 2020}}</ref>

===2011–present===

''Wave Ruler'' spent the summer and autumn of 2011 again in the Caribbean deployed as the United Kingdom's [[Atlantic Patrol Task (North)|Atlantic Patrol Ship (North)]]. She embarked a Mk 8 [[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron for the duration.<ref name="navynews.co.uk"/>

In October 2012, ''Wave Ruler'' transited the [[Suez Canal]] and took over from {{RFAux|Fort Victoria}} as Gulf Readiness Tanker in the [[Persian Gulf]]. The Gulf Readiness Tanker operates in support of UKMCC Bahrain.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/October/09/121009-Wave-Ruler-readiness |title=RFA Wave Ruler takes over as Gulf Readiness Tanker |access-date=9 October 2012 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012005653/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/News-and-Events/Latest-News/2012/October/09/121009-Wave-Ruler-readiness |url-status=dead }}</ref> In January 2013, ''Wave Ruler'' was relieved by RFA ''Fort Victoria''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2013/january/11/130111-fort-vic-gulf |title=Different ship, Different Year as RFA Fort Victoria Takes Over Support Mission in the Middle East |publisher=Royal Navy |date=11 January 2013 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Wave Ruler (A390) Liverpool 2019.jpg|thumb|''Wave Ruler'' in Liverpool (2019)]]
In late 2014, ''Wave Ruler'' deployed as part of the Cougar 14 Task Group, along with HM Ships {{HMS|Bulwark|L15|2}} and {{HMS|Northumberland|F238|6}}, {{RFAux|Lyme Bay|L3007|6}} and the {{ship|French frigate|Courbet}} for [[military exercise|naval exercises]] in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and Persian Gulf.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2014/october/01/141001-royal-navy-task-group-rendezvous-with-french-allies |title=Royal Navy Task Group Rendezvous with French Allies |publisher=Royal Navy |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> ''Wave Ruler'' remained east of Suez, operating with {{RFAux|Fort Austin|A386|6}} until both ships were relieved by ''Fort Victoria'' in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/july/02/150702-rfa-wave-ruler-hands-over-to-rfa-fort-victoria |title=RFA Wave Ruler Hands Over to RFA Fort Victoria in the Gulf |date=2 July 2015 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>

''Wave Ruler'' spent the latter part of 2016 and early 2017 operating in Scottish waters and the [[English Channel]] in support of [[Flag Officer Sea Training (United Kingdom)|Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST)]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/february/14/170214-wave-ruler-continues-fost-support |title=Wave Ruler Continues to Provide Support for FOST |publisher=Royal Navy |date=14 February 2017 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> As of June 2020, ''Wave Ruler'' was reported to be in "reduced readiness" (reserve - base maintenance period)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/premium-rfa-trio-remain-extended-readiness-reduced/ |title=RFA trio remain in extended readiness as reduced fleet continues to support RN deployments |website=shephardmedia.com |last=Thomas |first=Richard |date=2 June 2020 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> but maintained in good condition and available for reactivation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navylookout.com/the-royal-fleet-auxiliary-in-2021/|title = The Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2021 &#124; Navy Lookout| date=29 January 2021 }}</ref> In February 2022, it was reported that ''Wave Ruler'' and her sister ship ''Wave Knight'' would be placed in "extended readiness" (uncrewed reserve).<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1495750964632080389 |title=NAO report on EP says MoD has decided to place both Wave Class RFA tankers in "extended readiness" saving £79M over 10 years. |user=NavyLookout |number=1495750964632080389 |date=21 February 2022 |access-date=9 May 2022}}</ref>

==Future==
In June 2018 it was reported by the Brazilian press that the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|UK MoD]] had offered to sell one or both of the Wave-class tankers to [[Brazil]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naval.com.br/blog/2018/06/01/exclusivo-ingleses-sondam-interesse-da-mb-em-um-navio-tanque-classe-wave/ |title=Ingleses sondam interesse da MB em um navio-tanque classe 'Wave' |website=Poder Naval |language=Portuguese |date=1 June 2018 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> As early as 2010, BAE Systems had proposed providing Brazil with a variant of the Wave class, tailored to meet the specific aviation, stores and personnel requirements of the [[Brazilian Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/119452/bae-offers-brazil-11_warship-package-with-tech-transfer%2C-partnership.html |title=Technology Transfer Key to BAE Systems' Proposal to the Brazilian Navy |website=defense-aerospace.com |date=26 October 2010 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref> Nevertheless, the ship was still part of the RFA fleet (though maintained in reserve) as of late 2021, with the 2021 defence white paper apparently having had no overt impact on that status.

In November 2024, the newly elected Labour government indicated that both ''Wave Ruler'' and her sister ship, would, in fact, be removed from service by March 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o |title=UK to decommission ships, drones and helicopters to save £500m |website=BBC |last=Vock |first=Ido |date=20 November 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of replenishment ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Fleet/Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary/Tankers/RFA-Wave-Ruler Official ''Wave Ruler'' page at the Royal Navy's website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUmw972iYZI RFA Wave Ruler on Operation Taurus returning from Singapore to the UK (Video)]

{{Wave Knight class tanker}}
{{Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wave Ruler (A390)}}
[[Category:Wave-class tankers]]
[[Category:Tankers of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]
[[Category:2001 ships]]