Warships deployed with Operation Atalanta are able to remain at sea to protect World Food Programme (WFP) vessels and conduct counter-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean due to the vital support that they receive from re-supply vessels, such as USNS Carl Brashear (US) and RFA Fort Victoria (UK).

Over the past weeks both vessels have supplied EU Naval Force warships with much-needed fuel, food and stores.

A replenishment at sea (RAS) is a highly complex and potentially dangerous manoeuvre due to the close proximity that the ships need to come to, and importantly remain at, in order to transfer fuel hoses and other supply lines.

On 2 September ESPS Meteoro received fuel from the USNS Carl Brashear, whilst RFA Fort Victoria replenished HNLMS Groningen.