The Wave class shows how transfer-station layout affects replenishment throughput. One ship could receive fuel astern while vessels came alongside on port and starboard. In principle, the oiler could therefore support three ships at the same time. The detail moves the discussion beyond tanker speed and capacity to the equipment and geometry that determine how quickly a formation can be sustained.
Notable Point · 54:49-55:08
Wave-class oilers could service three ships
The Wave-class arrangement could refuel ships astern and on both sides, allowing three receiving ships to be served at once.