Buoy Tenders are often referred to as the Unsung Heroes of the space
lanes. Nearly every race fields some form of navigational satellites to aid in
navigation, course correction, data transfer and other mundane activities. Buoy
tenders are charged with the placement, maintenance and upkeep of these buoys.
Buoys come in a vast field of purpose oriented systems, from navigation drones
to in-system defence satellites.
Buoy tenders have extensive repair and refuelling systems designed to upgrade
nearly any type of buoy encountered. Buoy tenders also have large cargo
facilities and launch bays that can service entire fleets of small craft used
for repair and upgrade to buoys. Buoy Tenders can operate both in-system and in
deep space, with excellent recreational facilities to help alleviate lengthy
mission times.
Buoy Tenders can also create a large array of buoy from in-house stores and
can even build satellites from scratch using extensive replicator systems.
Because they must often operate near hostile boarders, many buoy tenders are
armed, although more often than not, they are escorted.
Tenders are designed to provide medium to fast response to deep space
vessels that require judicious repair and re-supply. Tenders are most often
associated with non-combat operations, and are used primarily to provide
moderate repairs to on-board systems. Tenders often carry complete replacement
parts for the most commonly damaged or overloaded ship systems, including
computer systems, power transfers and other electronic components. Tenders are
also known for large "consumables" storage, including coolant gasses
and other inert transferable materials.
Tenders do not supply full loads of food stuffs and water, although luxury
goods are often carried for trade. Tenders also have casings for torpedoes,
although must specifically have Armed torpedoes loaded during combat operations.
Also unique to Tenders are their specialized shop spaces designed for "tear
down and replacement" operations associated with high use and ware systems
found on all starships. Tenders allow work crews to efficiently rework,
resurface and improve a number of systems, including fuel injectors, plasma
transfer conduits and even plating found within dilithium chambers.
Tenders allow deep space patrol vessels to remain on station longer and are
able to move with the intended target vessel while on patrol. Although a
somewhat tedious routine, many within Star Fleet Engineering request Tender duty
for the vast expanse of variation associated with Tender Operations.
Combat Support Tenders are designed to perform the same repair and
recovery role, but are armed and heavily shielded so they can safeley accomplish
their missions in hostile areas.
Although the term "support vessel" engenders visions of repair
ships and re-supply vessels, technically, support vessels include transport and
cargo movement platforms. Many "support" vessels are in actuality
civilian ships designed to conduct extremely specific missions, rarely military
in nature. Support Vessels include cargo ships, passenger ships, repair vessels
and other assorted short to long range ships of all types. Most support vessels
can be bought or traded on the open market, and come in an extremely wide range
of sizes and costs.
Nomenclature of a particular support vessel rarely gives an accurate
description of the ships actual size, crew or defensive capabilities. Most
Support Vessels can (and are) modified to some degree depending on the location
of the specified cargo/operation area. Many support vessels operating in hostile
areas will ban together, often escorted by military authorities, on common cargo
or transport runs.
Some Support Vessels are assigned specific patrol areas, while other wait at
a star base or orbital platform until needed. Even robotic ships are common.
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