RFA Reliant (A84)

For other ships with the same name, see RFA Reliant.

RFA Reliant (A84) was an air stores support ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), the naval auxiliary fleet of the United Kingdom. She was formerly the commercial general cargo vessel Somersby which was purchased in 1956 and renamed on completion of her conversion in 1958. She was fitted for replenishing aircraft carriers at sea with a wide range of air, naval and victualling stores.^[1] As refitted she had a helicopter landing pad built over the poop deckhouse.^[2]

Bow and stern lines have been made in preparation for load carrying hawsers to be slung across

RAS (replenishment at sea) could be a weekly occurrence on long voyages as additional food and other stores are required.

A84 Reliant 1972 in Venice
History
United Kingdom
Builder	James Laing & Sons
Launched	9 September 1953 as Somersby.
Commissioned	11 August 1957 as RFA Somersby.
Decommissioned	7 May 1976
Renamed	23 September 1958 as RFA Reliant.
Identification	IMO number: 5292646 Pennant number: A84
Fate	Demolished on 23 August 1977.
General characteristics
Displacement	13,737 tons full load
Length	486 ft 10 in (148 m)
Beam	61 ft 6 in (19 m)
Draught	26 ft 3 in (8 m)
Propulsion	1 × 6-cylinder Doxford diesel, 8250 bhp 1 × shaft
Speed	17 knots
Complement	110
Aircraft carried	Fitted with a large helicopter cargo landing deck but had no hangar facilities.