Transferring fuel at sea

[Refueler]

Yeah I spent quite a few years in Gib sailing around the vessels in for bunkers. Also across in Ceuta. Been through the anchorage east of Malta too, very busy.

But they are anchored, not underway. Carrier Strike Group 21 also bunkered HMS Queen Elizabeth whilst she was launching fast jets. Now that's man's work!

Most Ship to Ship are now underway .. its only really Floating Storage that are anchored .... partly if location is restricted ..... such as OPS Singapore ..

 

[Refueler]

Definitely not unusual. Vessel finder is a way of looking at yacht movements globally.

Hundreds cross the N. Atlantic every year for example. And for sure, if you have time to bob through the calm bits, then completing the passage under sail is possible. But generally, skippers will embark enough diesel to keep batteries charged....could be 4 hours a day for those without solar or wind.....plus a few days motoring through calms, enough to get I at the other end and contingency in case of any kind of problem, especially medical.

Personally, I've done heaps of passages on yachts over 500 miles and fuel is a constant thing to keep you thinking!

Have to agree ... have a few trips where 'owner' skimped on spare fuel .... ended up praying enough fumes in the tank !!