Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service
RMAS Naval Ensign
Active	1976—2008
Country	United Kingdom
Type	Marine Services
Size	Over 200 ships in 1985
Part of	His Majesty's Naval Service, MoD
Disbanded	31 March 2008

The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (RMAS) was a special group in the British Government. It operated many different support ships for the His Majesty's Naval Service. This included the famous Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. From 2009, a company called Serco took over these services. Now, it is known as Serco Marine Services.

What Was the RMAS?

The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service was created in 1976. It joined with another group called the Port Auxiliary Service. Together, they became a part of His Majesty's Naval Service. Their main job was to provide "marine services." This meant they supported the daily work of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

In the 1990s, the Ministry of Defence decided to let private companies help with these marine services. By 1996, a company called Serco Denholm started operating many of the tugboats and lifting ships. They also managed the naval bases at Devonport, Portsmouth, and Clyde.

Around the mid-2000s, it was decided that the RMAS would no longer provide these services. Instead, a private company would take over completely. Serco was chosen for this job. Because of this, the RMAS officially closed down on March 31, 2008.

Ships of the RMAS

RMAS ships had a special look. Their hulls (the main body of the ship) were black. They had a white line around them and buff-coloured (light brown) upper parts. Each ship also had "RMAS" at the start of its name. They also had a special code called a pennant number. Many of these ships later went to Serco Marine Services. They still help the Royal Navy today.

Research Vessels

These ships helped with scientific studies and research for the Navy.

Ammunition Transport Ships

These vessels were used to carry ammunition safely.

RMAS Kinterbury (A378)
RMAS Throsk (A379)
RMAS Arrochar

Salvage Ships

Salvage ships help to rescue other ships or recover things from the sea.

Sal-class Salvage Vessels

Moor-class Salvage Vessels

RMAS Moorhen (Y32)
RMAS Moorfowl (Y33)
RMAS Cameron (A72)

Torpedo Retrievers

These ships were used to find and pick up practice torpedoes after training.

Tornado-class Torpedo Retrievers

RMAS Tornado (A140)
RMAS Torch (A141)
RMAS Tormentor (A142)
RMAS Toreador (A143)

Torrent-class Torpedo Retrievers

RMAS Torrent (A127)

Submarine Berthing Tugs

These powerful tugboats helped move submarines in and out of their docks.

Impulse-class Tugs

RMAS Impulse (A344)
RMAS Impetus (A335)

Tractor Tugs

Tractor tugs are strong boats used to pull larger ships.

Adept-class Tugs

RMAS Adept (A224)
RMAS Bustler (A225)
RMAS Capable (A226)
RMAS Careful (A227)
RMAS Forceful (A221)
RMAS Nimble (A222)
RMAS Powerful (A223)
RMAS Faithful (A228)
RMAS Dexterous (A231)

Other Support Vessels

Moorings/Range Tender

RMAS Warden (A368)

Fast Fleet Tender/VIP Carrier

RMAS Adamant (A232)

Aberdovey-class Fleet Tenders

RMAS Aberdovey (Y10)
RMAS Abinger (Y11)
RMAS Alness (Y12)
RMAS Alnmouth (Y13)
RMAS Appleby (A383)
RMAS Ashcott (Y16)
RMAS Beaulieu (A99)
RMAS Beddgelert (A100)
RMAS Bembridge (A101)
RMAS Bibury (A103)
RMAS Blakeney (A104)
RMAS Brodick (A105)
RMAS Cartmel (A350)
RMAS Cawsand (A351)

Clovelly-class Fleet Tenders

RMAS Clovelly (A389)
RMAS Criccieth (A391)
RMAS Cricklade (A381)
RMAS Cromarty (A488)
RMAS Denmead (A363)
RMAS Dornoch (A490)
RMAS Dunster (A393)
RMAS Elkstone (A353)
RMAS Elsing (A277)
RMAS Epworth (A355)
RMAS Ettrick (A274)
RMAS Felsted (A348)
RMAS Fintry (A394)
RMAS Fotherby (A341)
RMAS Froxfield (A354)
RMAS Fulbeck (A365)
RMAS Glencoe (A392)
RMAS Grasmere (A402)
RMAS Hambledon (A1769)
RMAS Harlech (A1768)
RMAS Headcorn (A1766)
RMAS Hever (A1767)
RMAS Holmwood (A1772)
RMAS Horning (A1773)
RMAS Lamlash (A208)
RMAS Lechlade (A211)
RMAS Llandovery (A207)
RMAS Lydford (A251/A510)
RMAS Meon (A87)
RMAS Milford (A91)
RMAS Melton (A83)
RMAS Menai (A84)

Ilchester-class Dive Tenders

These ships helped divers with their underwater work.

RMAS Ilchester (A308)
RMAS Instow (A309)
RMAS Invergordon (A311)
RMAS Ironbridge (A310)
RMAS Ixworth (A318)

Manly-class Fleet Tenders

RMAS Manly (A92)
RMAS Mentor (A94)
RMAS Messina (A107)
RMAS Milbrook (A97)

Magnet Class Degaussing Vessels

These ships helped reduce the magnetic field of other vessels. This made them harder to detect by magnetic mines.

RMAS Magnet (A114)
RMAS Lodestone (A115)

Images for kids

Research vessel Colonel Templer passing Greenock on the Firth of Clyde
Sal-class Salmoor passing Gourock on the Firth of Clyde
Adept-class tugs Forceful and Careful entering the River Tamar
Aberdovey-class Bembridge entering Portsmouth in 1983
Clovelly-class Harlech at Exeter, England, in 2004
Clovelly-class Lamlash passing HMS Warrior at Portsmouth April 30, 2000
Dive tender Ilchester at Wick, Scotland, in 2004, on her way from Rosyth to Holyhead during the closure of the Caledonian Canal
Manly-class fleet tender Milbrook at Almerimar, Spain, in 2000

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Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service facts for kids

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