How Aircraft Carriers are Refueled in the Middle of the Ocean

Описание: How do U.S. Navy aircraft carriers refuel in the middle of the ocean?
In this documentary, we break down one of the Navy’s most complex and demanding operations: Replenishment at Sea (R.A.S.) — the method that allows aircraft carriers to receive fuel, supplies, and equipment without ever returning to port.

Every day, carriers depend on enormous quantities of aviation fuel, food, water, spare parts, and mission-critical gear to sustain more than 5,000 sailors and a full air wing. Even nuclear-powered carriers — capable of running their reactors for decades — still rely on frequent replenishment to keep flight operations, maintenance, and daily shipboard life running smoothly.

🚢 In this video, you’ll see how R.A.S. actually works:

-How a replenishment oiler closes in and maintains a parallel position just 100–160 feet from the carrier while both ships match speed at 12–16 knots for stability
-How a shot line is fired to establish the initial connection between ships
-How the messenger line and main fuel hose are pulled across, suspended using the Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method
-How high-capacity pumps transfer thousands of gallons of fuel per minute through the hose system
-How sailors continuously monitor fuel pressure, cable tension, deck safety, and communication throughout the evolution
-How emergency breakaway procedures work, allowing both ships to separate rapidly if sea conditions or threats suddenly change

We also explore the logistics behind these missions:
From supply ships carrying millions of gallons of fuel to the planning of rendezvous points hundreds of miles from land, every element of this system demonstrates the extreme coordination required to keep aircraft carriers on station around the world. Carriers like the USS Theodore Roosevelt have remained underway for 159 consecutive days, highlighting the Navy’s ability to operate far from shore for extended periods.

R.A.S. is more than a fuel transfer — it is a high-risk, precision operation that blends seamanship, engineering, and teamwork to keep America’s most powerful warships mission-ready across the globe.

#usnavy #aircraftcarrier #sailors

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