The photographer is alongside the island superstructure on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier Ark Royal (1950) while under way in the Arabian Sea during the CENTO exercise Midlink VI, refuelling from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment tanker Tidesurge (1954). The photographer is looking aft and to starboard showing the after part of the tanker, from the centre gantry to the stern, steaming close alongside using the centre gantry to carry out the refuelling evolution. The Royal Navy Type 12 frigate Plymouth (1959), seen from off her port bow, is closing on the starboard side of the Tidesurge (1954) and in the distance is the Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment tanker Wave Chief (1946). The pendant number of the Plymouth is F126.