Balaena Completes Annual Certification Period for RFA Lyme Bay in Gibraltar
Balaena Completes Annual Certification Period for RFA Lyme Bay in Gibraltar
Balaena has successfully completed the 2026 Annual Certification Period (ACP) for Bay Class vessel RFA Lyme Bay, delivering a complex and fast-paced maintenance package in Gibraltar to support the ship’s continued operational commitments.
Originally planned for later in the year, RFA Lyme Bay’s ACP was brought forward at short notice in response to evolving operational demands and programme requirements. This change in schedule required close coordination between Balaena’s Cluster Support Team in Falmouth, National Armaments Director Group, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and subcontract partners and regulatory authorities to deliver the work package within an accelerated timescale.
The maintenance period included a one-week dry docking and hull survey, alongside more than 550 individual work items completed across the vessel. Over 20 subcontractors and specialist suppliers were engaged throughout the programme, coordinated through Balaena’s integrated project management and waterfront delivery teams in Falmouth.
Key works undertaken during the ACP included replacement of the vessel’s anchor windlass, re-gel coating of lifeboats, replacement of numerous fire doors, and a broad range of mechanical, structural and hotel services maintenance activities. Throughout the period, ship’s staff remained living onboard while the vessel retained a reduced notice-to-sail status, adding further complexity to planning and execution of the programme.
The maintenance package was also delivered against a backdrop of changing operational requirements, with additional mission-fit equipment scopes developed and installed in parallel with the planned certification activity to ensure RFA Lyme Bay remained ready to respond to evolving tasking requirements.
Balaena’s teams worked closely with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), classification and assurance bodies, and the wider supply chain to tightly control programme milestones and ensure adherence to critical timelines, enabling the vessel to return to operational readiness in line with programme requirements.
The successful completion of the maintenance period culminated in RFA Lyme Bay being awarded her Passenger Ship Safety Certificate following an intensive week-long inspection and survey programme conducted by the MCA.
APCL Group facilities were acquired by Balaena earlier this month, in a move which brings together five major shipyards across the UK and Gibraltar. Balaena Birkenhead, Balaena Falmouth, Balaena Gibraltar, Balaena Padstow and Balaena Tyne are now part of the most dynamic and regionally rooted marine engineering Group in the UK. Balaena operates 12 drydocks, four building berths and 4 KM of wet berths and is strengthening Britain’s shipbuilding, ship repair and naval capacity.
This latest programme demonstrated the strength of Balaena’s established relationship across its facilities, with the two locations working collaboratively to support the delivery of the ACP within a demanding operational environment.
The close partnership enabled effective coordination of dry dock operations, waterfront services, subcontract activities and logistical support, ensuring the vessel’s programme requirements were achieved safely and efficiently despite the compressed schedule and evolving operational scope.
RFA Lyme Bay is one of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s highly versatile Bay Class vessels, capable of supporting amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and global defence tasks.
Balaena continues to provide through-life support to Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels under long-term Ministry of Defence support arrangements, delivering maintenance, refit and operational support capabilities both in the UK and overseas.
Mike Spicer, Managing Director, Balaena Falmouth said: “Delivering RFA Lyme Bay’s ACP at short notice, whilst the vessel remained at operational readiness, was a significant achievement for all involved. The programme required close coordination across Balaena’s facilities and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary to safely execute a complex package of work within a compressed timeframe.
“The successful completion of more than 550 work items, alongside evolving operational and mission requirements, is testament to the flexibility, professionalism and commitment of everybody involved in the programme. Maintaining schedule discipline whilst adapting to changing priorities is critical in supporting vessels such as Lyme Bay, which continue to play an important role in UK defence and global operations.
“Balaena is proud to continue supporting the Royal Fleet Auxiliary through the delivery of responsive, high-quality through-life support both in the UK and overseas.”
Media Enquiries