Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service ensign

The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) was a British Government agency which ran a variety of civilian manned support vessels for the Royal Navy.

Organisation

The RMAS merged with the former Port Auxiliary Service in 1976 to form a component of the Naval Service that is known as Marine Services. Marine Services exists to support the Royal Navy.Marine Services was put out to commercial tender by the Ministry of Defence Warship Support Agency (now absorbed into the Defence Equipment & Support organisation) and since 1996 tugs, lifting craft, various tenders and management of HMNB Devonport, Portsmouth and Clyde have been operated by Serco Denholm. Serco were preferred bidders for the next contract, and the RMAS was disbanded on 31 March 2008.

Vessels

RMAS vessels carried the ship prefix RMAS and auxiliary (A) or yard (Y) pennant numbers. They can be recognised by their black hulls with white beading and buff-coloured upperworks.

Research vessels

Cablelayer / Research vessel

• RMAS Newton

Acoustic research / Diving support vessel

• RMAS Colonel Templer

Ammunition transport

• RMAS Kinterbury

Lifting ships

Sal-class

• RMAS Salmoor
• RMAS Salmaid

Moor-class

• RMAS Moorhen
• RMAS Moorfowl
• RMAS Cameron

Torpedo retrievers

Tornado-class

• RMAS Tornado
• RMAS Tormentor

Torrent-class

• RMAS Torrent

Tugs

Impulse-class submarine berthing tugs

• RMAS Impulse
• RMAS Impetus

Adept-class tractor tug

• RMAS Adept
• RMAS Bustler
• RMAS Capable
• RMAS Careful
• RMAS Forceful
• RMAS Nimble
• RMAS Powerful
• RMAS Faithful
• RMAS Dexterous

Tenders

Moorings / Range tender

• RMAS Warden

Fast Fleet tender/VIP carrier

• RMAS Adamant

79 ft (24.1 m) Fleet Tenders

Aberdovey Class

• RMAS Aberdovey
• RMAS Abinger
• RMAS Alness
• RMAS Alnmouth
• RMAS Appleby
• RMAS Ashcott
• RMAS Beaulieu
• RMAS Beddgelert
• RMAS Bembridge
• RMAS Bibury
• RMAS Blakeney
• RMAS Brodick
• RMAS Cartmel
• RMAS Cawsand

Clovelly Class

• RMAS Clovelly
• RMAS Criccieth
• RMAS Cricklade
• RMAS Cromarty
• RMAS Denmead
• RMAS Dornoch
• RMAS Dunster
• RMAS Elkstone
• RMAS Elsing
• RMAS Epworth
• RMAS Ettrick
• RMAS Felsted
• RMAS Fintry
• RMAS Fotherby
• RMAS Froxfield
• RMAS Fulbeck
• RMAS Glencoe
• RMAS Grasmere
• RMAS Hambledon
• RMAS Harlech
• RMAS Headcorn
• RMAS Hever
• RMAS Holmwood
• RMAS Horning
• RMAS Lamlash
• RMAS Lechlade
• RMAS Llandovery
• RMAS Lydford
• RMAS Meon
• RMAS Milford
• RMAS Melton
• RMAS Menai

See also

• Royal Fleet Auxiliary
• Admiralty Yard Craft Service

Notes and references

1. Marine Services Planning Agreement
2. £1 billion MoD Marine Services contract
3. Queen’s Thanks as Last Post Sounds for Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service

Further reading