This is the moment the tanker RFA Fort Victoria transfers ammunition to the Royal Navy frigate HMS Richmond at sea.

In footage supplied by RFA Fort Victoria and the Royal Navy, the video was shared on YouTube by ‘Navy Lookout’ with the message: “Conducting heavy jackstay transfer Replenishment At Sea (RAS) serial with HMS Richmond utilising dummy loads to practise the supply of solid stores and live ammunition.

“Loads are passed in both directions as the supply vessel may take back empty weapon storage boxes, and on occasions the warship may need to unload ammunition.”

RFA Fort Victoria is a fleet stores ship and tanker of the UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary tasked with providing ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world.

The Royal Navy’s HMS Richmond is a Type 23 frigate that was launched in April 1993, and was the last warship to be built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders.

YouTube user ‘IDCL’ said: “Nicely done. Well done and thanks to the lads and lasses of the RN and RFA.”

Netizen ‘Frank Mueller’ commented: “Go forward, Great-Britain! Long live the Nato! Long live freedom! Down with all dictatorships and terrorists all around the world! Best wishes from Germany!”

A jackstay is a cable or sometimes a bar between two points that is used to guide loads between them. However, it is mainly used in the marine context from when it was first used with sailing ships.

It allows the transfer of materials or indeed personnel between vessels at sea who were suspended from the travel block and controlled by lines running in both directions.

It involves careful navigation to make sure that the distance between the ships remains constant during the manoeuvre.