In-Service Support (ISS)
Reliable, Collaborative and Proven Support for Naval and Commercial Fleets
Balaena delivers comprehensive In-Service Support (ISS) to the Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Tier 1 Defence partners, as well as commercial ferry and offshore operators.
With ISS teams based at Balaena Birkenhead and Balaena Falmouth, we provide continuous support to vessels both in the UK and while deployed worldwide.
Dedicated Support Teams
Our Cluster Support Team (CST) and Fleet Time Support Team work side-by-side with the RFA and Royal Navy, providing:
+ Ongoing engineering and technical support
+ Responsive assistance during operational deployments
+ Efficient scheduling and maintenance coordination
+ Rapid resolution of defects and emergent work
This close integration ensures maximum availability for front-line vessels.
Proven Partnership with the MoD
Balaena’s long-standing collaboration with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary has delivered:
+ High vessel availability
+ Improved reliability and fleet readiness
+ Cost-effective solutions through repeat-ship knowledge
+ Seamless working between MoD and Balaena teams
Our deep familiarity with RFA and Royal Navy platforms enables better quality, better value and better understanding across all maintenance periods.
Tide-Class
Name - RFA Tidespring, RFA Tidesurge, RFA Tideforce, RFA Tiderace
Vessel Type - Class replenishment tanker
Commissioned - 2015
Length - 201 m
About - The RFA Tide-class are replenishment tankers of the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)
Bay Class
Name - RFA Cardigan Bay, RFA Lyme Bay, RFA Mounts Bay
Vessel Type – Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) / Amphibious Support Ship
Commissioned – 2006–2007 (Class entry into service)
Length – 176 m
About – The RFA Bay-class are amphibious landing ship dock auxiliaries of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Designed to support amphibious operations, they transport troops, vehicles, equipment and landing craft, while also providing logistics, humanitarian aid and disaster relief capability worldwide.
Fort Victoria-Class
Name - RFA Fort Victoria
Vessel Type - Tanker
Commissioned - 1990
Length - 204 m
About - RFA Fort Victoria is a Fort-Class combined fleet stores ship and tanker of the RFA tasked with providing ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies to the Royal Navy vessels around the world. She is now the only member of her class.
RFA Proteus
Name - RFA Proteus
Vessel Type – Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance Ship (MROSS)
Commissioned – 2023 (into Royal Fleet Auxiliary service)
Length – 98 m
About – RFA Proteus is a multi-role ocean surveillance ship operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Procured to protect critical undersea infrastructure, the vessel supports seabed warfare, underwater surveillance, remote operated systems, and specialist defence operations in the maritime domain.
Wave-Class
Name - RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler
Vessel Type - Fast Fleet Tanker
Commissioned - 2000
Length - 196 m
About - The RFA Wave-class are fast fleet tankers of the RFA of the UK tasked with providing fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world.
HMS Stirling Castle
Name - HMS Stirling Castle
Vessel Type – Subsea Support / Seabed Warfare Training Vessel
Commissioned – 2023
Length – 93 m
About – HMS Stirling Castle is a subsea support vessel operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Acquired to support the Royal Navy’s seabed warfare programme, the vessel acts as a training and experimentation platform for protecting undersea cables, pipelines and critical maritime infrastructure using autonomous and remotely operated systems.