Thanks for the perspective of experience.
I’m curious why the ships don’t stop for these operations (other than that would make them sitting ducks in wartime).
Is it easier to control the ships while moving then while stopped? Or is it considered practice for wartime maneuvering.
IIRC, when uboats needed replenishment at sea they were stopped during WWII, but that’s a different animal and a different era.
“I’m curious why the ships don’t stop for these operations (other than that would make them sitting ducks in wartime).”
They have no control if stopped.
Underway replenishment was the US Navy's "secret weapon" for many years following WWII. Not so much as it was a secret, but the technology and the process required the utmost coordination and seamanship. There's a reasonable risk, but the payoff is high...fuel and supply up an entire Carrier Battle Group in an hour or two while on-station? Yes, logistics goes a long way in wartime.
The Navy trains like it fights. Stopping for unrep is not even a concept. If you want to stop refuel head into port.
I suspect that except in dead calm oceans, doing this while heaved to (motionless) would be far more hazardous to currents, winds and waves, and would be impossible if it were anything other than a dead calm. Making headway would lessen that risk as the vessels can make adjustments to maintain formation that are simply not possible when stopped.
(NOTE: I was Aviation...never stood a bridge watch!) so others on this forum can correct me-I may be wet on this but I think I am somewhat on target here)
Tactically, in a condition of conflict or warfare, warships are slow in comparison to other forms of travel, and stopping to refuel is a waste of time...and lost time in warfare can result in loss of life or defeat in battle.