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that they should be phased out completely. This conclusion is viewed with some sadness by the RFA Service because in peacetime the HKC are exemplary seamen, being clean, reliable and not prone to disciplinary or alcoholic problems.
4.
We recognise the need to proceed sympathetically, and are proposing a phased withdrawal over 5 years, as follows:
A
STROMNESS
July 1982
SIR GALAHAD )
SIR TRISTRAM )
) replacements
Late October 1982
SIR BEDIVERE
PLUMLEAF
PEARLEAF
SIR GERAINT
SIR PERCIVALE
SIR LANCELOT
April 1984
April 1984 se onk of sonance
October 1984
April 1985
April 1986
April 1987
[A few words of explanation may help? STROMNESS was changed to UK crewing
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immediately on return from the South Atlantic, after the majority of the crew had threatened industrial action if they were not repatriated. HKC replacements were not available and we are not aware of any adverse reaction in the Colony. UK crewing will continue until STROMNESS is sold to the US next year. PEARLEAF and PLUMLEAF will go out of service on the dates shown and we propose to retain HKC crews until then. The remaining ships the LSLS- present a problem in that the accommodation on board is not suitable for UK crews, and it is proposed to modify one per year as shown, starting in April 1984. SIR GALAHAD and SIR TRISTRAM were hit at Bluff Cove and the temporary replacements are UK crewed, in line with a general agreement within the National Maritime Board that newly chartered or new build ships should be UK manned. SIR TRISTRAM is to be rebuilt, but SIR GALAHAD was beyond salvage, and a long-term replacement will be necessary. Both vessels will be UK crewed.
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5. I hope you will agree that this phased programme represents a sensible way forward. I shall of course keep you in touch with developments here, but if there are any comments you wish to make I should be grateful to have them by the end of November at the latest.
Yours,
Makalem Howellh
JP/5
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