from Hansard....
Douglas Chapman: [51473]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the principal technical faults are that have
led to the delay of the transfer of the RFA Tidespring to the UK for customisation and
capability assessment trials until 2017.
Harriett Baldwin:
Delays in finalising elements of electrical design and the installation of Multi-Cable
Transit insulation in accordance with new legislative regulations resulted in some
adjustments in the build schedule. These issues have now been resolved and Tidespring
is expected to arrive in the UK in early 2017 to begin UK customisation and capability
assessment trials.
Notwithstanding these issues, which are not unusual for any First of Class ship, build of
the remaining ships in the Class is progressing well and we remain confident that all
four tankers will be in service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary by the end of 2018, as
planned.
Nowt to do with donks. Plenty to do with fire protection.