Cosalt supplies famous name
09 May 2008
Cosalt International has been supplying a vessel which originally carried one of the most famous names in recent British military history.
The company has completed a six-figure contract for the Brazilian Navy's landing ship Garcia D'Avila. But behind that name lies another name - and another story.
For the Garcia D'Avila was previously the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Sir Galahad. And it was the original Sir Galahad that was at the centre of one of the most courageous and tragic stories of the Falklands War.
It was on June 8, 1982 that the troop carrier was attacked by Argentinean Sky Hawk jets while trying to land Welsh Guards at Bluff Cove.
She was hit and set ablaze and, despite brave helicopter pilots going to the rescue, 50
servicemen died.
On board was Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston, who suffered horrific burns to almost half of his body. He became a symbol of the infamous attack as he fought bravely to return to normal life.
The Sir Galahad was later towed out to sea and sunk and is now a war grave. Her replacement was built at Swan Hunter's yard at Wallsend, Tyne & Wear in 1986 and served in both Iraq wars.
She was unique in the RFA as she earned two Wilkinson Swords of Peace. Both were for supplying humanitarian aid, the first for Angola (Operation Chantris) in 1995 and the second for Umm Qasr (Iraq) in 2003.
The Sir Galahad has been refitted at Portsmouth where she was formally welcomed into the Brazilian Navy as the Garcia D'Avila - the name of a distinguished captain and Brazilian war hero.
Cosalt has supplied ropes, fire-fighting and damage control equipment, slings, lifejackets, replenishment at sea equipment, pumps and general chandlery.
Alan Myatt, Business Development Manager (Defence) said: "We had lots of problems to overcome with the language barrier."
The final items, three damage control pumps, were delivered late at night, only 12 hours before the ship sailed.
It was a poignant moment for Alan when the vessel cast off on her journey back to the South Atlantic. For, like the Sir Galahad, he also took part in the Falklands War, serving in the Royal Navy.
Issued on behalf of Cosalt Safety and Protection by Nigel Lowther Associates Ltd. Media inquiries should be referred to Sarah Avery on 01472 504288 or Nigel Lowther (0792 0102303).