Tidesurge Departs Liverpool: Tugs Escort Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ship from Cammell Laird

This video shows the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tide-class replenishment tanker RFA Tidesurge (IMO number: 9655559) departing Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, Liverpool on November 1st, 2023 after undergoing refit and maintenance.

The 29,324 gross tonnage replenishment ship is assisted by a flotilla of tugboats as she exits the dock, including VB Sandon, VB Phoenix, VB Donau and VB Elbe, which carefully maneuver the 201m long vessel with a beam of 29m. We see her exiting the dock from the nearby tower of Birkenhead Priory, which gives us great elevated views.

Views include Tidesurge, which has a summer deadweight of 22,103 metric tons, passing by the iconic Royal Liver Building and Liverpool waterfront as she heads out to sea. The tugboats can be seen actively working to orient the ship which was built in 2017.

We then see her heading past the berthed cruise ship Borealis, with footage taken from Wallasey Town Hall.

In the final segments, we see Tidesurge cruise by New Brighton lighthouse and Fort Perch Rock battery as she travels down the River Mersey towards the Irish Sea.

The RFA Tidesurge was completing sea trials before a planned deployment, having undergone maintenance and resupply at the Cammell Laird facility.

This is an excellent chance to see a Royal Navy support ship up close as she transits the busy River Mersey and bids farewell to Liverpool on her way to sea. Highlights include scenic views of the Liverpool skyline and the massive vessel and her tugboat escorts.

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