Prior to conducting a replenishment at sea, the seamen (or bosuns) must prepare all the necessary gear. Messengers, or lines, to be passed between the ships must be “flaked out” on deck so that they will not become entangled as they run out. Once the lines have been prepared, a rifle will be used to fire a “gun Line” that will be attached to other lines increasing in size and strength. Finally a “taut wire” is passed, down which will ride travellers supporting the large, heavy fuel lines as they are paid out from the tanker to the other vessel. Replenishment techniques were developed during the Second World War to enable ships to stay at sea longer, especially during lengthy convoy deployments.
18″ x 24″ | oil on board