On Saturday 28th January a small party of Poole Unit members drove to Portland Port and visited the Orangeleaf, an R.F.A tanker based at Portland and in for a short period. The visit which was arranged by Frank Revill, our Head of Unit and previously an R.F.A. Officer, enabled us to tour the ship and get an insight into the workings of a Tanker.
On a previous visit we had been restricted to the Bridge and Accommodation areas, owing to maintenance work, but this time we were able to visit the forward decks, the Oil Loading Control Room, the Bridge and the Engine Room.
One of the Officers showing us around was in charge of the Lifeboats and he gave us a most interesting talk on how they worked, their launching mechanism and procedures. This was very topical as it was so soon after the disaster in Italy of the Costa Concordia. We all went inside a lifeboat and I would think conditions afloat, especially if rough would not be very pleasant. Once the lifeboat is loaded all the launching procedures are controlled by the Coxswain from his cockpit. He is the only one to see out when at sea! There are all sorts of safety devices to ensure a safe launch, including hydrostatic releases which make sure the falls are not disconnected before the boat is in the sea and won’t be left hanging with one end up in the air.
Although the vessel is not a double hulled tanker, she is still in use but the outer tanks are not used, hence she never fills to capacity. She is probably one of the last single skinned tankers still in service. It was interesting to see the mooring wires, a few more than we have on our launches but still the same principle, bow and stern and a few springs. An interesting morning and Thank You to Frank for organising it.
