RFA Regent (A486)


RFA Regent A486 was an ammunition, explosives and stores supply ship in the 'Royal Fleet Auxiliary'. She was built by Harland and Wolff, commissioned in 1967 and took part in the Falklands War.

Her part in the Falklands War

After taking on stores at Glen Douglas and Plymouth, RFA Regent sailed from Plymouth on 19 April 1982, arriving in the Total Exclusion Zone... on 8 May. She spent much of her time with the Carrier Group, replenishing ships in the group, day and night.
Surviving at least one Exocet attack, the most publicised was on 25 May, Argentina's National Day. She was North East of East Falkland, having just taken part a 'Vertrep' and/or 'RAS' with the 'SS Atlantic Conveyor' when the 'Air Raid Warning Red Alarm' sounded, and the two ships took evasive action.
'RFA Regent' carried on supplying the Task Force until the third week of August, becoming one of the longest-serving ships that took part in the Conflict. She eventually arrived back in the UK at on 15 September, after 148 days at sea, and replenishing most of the ships in the RN at least once. She had sailed more than 35,000 nautical miles.

Later service

She helped with the evacuation of British nationals from Cyprus during the Turkish invasion 1974.
She also took part in the first Gulf War 1991.
Regent was decommissioned on October 1992. She sailed from Devonport on 21 January 1993 under the name Shahzadelal, for the delivery run to the Indian breakers. She arrived at Alang for scrapping on 19 February 1993.