The Rover-class were single-hulled tankers, designed to carry a mixture of fuel oil, aviation fuel, lubricating oil and fresh water supply for services around the globe; they could also carry limited dried stores of 340 tonnes (330 long tons; 370 short tons) such as munitions and refrigerated goods.

The keel of Green Rover was laid at Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Ltd's Hebburn yard on the River Tyne, UK on 28 February 1968, she was launched on 19 December the same year, and completed on 15 August 1969.

[1] One of Green Rover's first duties was to attend Navy Days at Chatham, between 31 August and 1 September 1969, where she was open to the public and over 13,000 people visited the ship.

[2] In November 1970 she departed for a deployment to the Far East, returning by September 1971 where she carried out deck landing trials with the new Harrier jump jet while moored at Greenwich Pier on the Thames.

[3] On 17 September 1974, Green Rover departed HMNB Devonport to support Task Group 317.2, led by the Tiger-class cruiser HMS Blake, for deployment in the Far East.

[3] She transferred around 1,350 imperial gallons (6,100 L; 1,620 US gal) of fuel to Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic Challenger in August 1985, while attempting to gain the Blue Riband (unfortunately the vessel overturned short of its target and sank without completing its crossing.[6]).