Ramped craft logistic
The ramped craft logistic (RCL) is a type of landing craft operated by 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC of the Royal Logistic Corps of the British Army. From the early 1980s onwards it was deployed to replace the RPL (ramped powered lighter). One of their first roles was to provide logistical support during the setting up of the garrison in the Falkland Islands immediately after the Falklands War - this role was conducted by the two first of class, Arromanches and Antwerp. RCLs were originally procured for UK, Cyprus and Hong Kong,[1] and are now only stationed at the military port at Marchwood, near Southampton, after the two (Andalsnes and Akyab) based at the British base at Akrotiri, Cyprus were sold in 2014[2] (where they operated as 417 Troop of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC). They are slowly being withdrawn from service, as of 2015.
Vessels
There were 9 ramped craft logistic brought into service:
| Name | Pennant number[3] | Builder[3] | Ordered[3] | Launched[3] | In service[3] | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arromanches | L105 | Brooke Marine, Lowestoft | 18 March 1980 | 6 January 1981 | 31 July 1981 | |
| Antwerp | L106 | Brooke Marine, Lowestoft | 18 March 1980 | 9 March 1981 | 14 August 1981 | For sale November 1994[4] |
| Andalsnes | L107 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | 31 March 1983 | 16 March 1984 | 22 May 1984 | For sale 2014[2] |
| Abbeville | L108 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | 31 March 1983 | 28 August 1984 | 9 November 1984 | Discarded 1994[4] |
| Akyab | L109 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | 31 March 1983 | 20 November 1984 | 21 December 1984 | |
| Aachen | L110 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 25 June 1986 | 26 January 1987 | |
| Arezzo | L111 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 18 November 1986 | 2 March 1987 | For sale 2014[5] |
| Agheila | L112 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 27 April 1987 | 12 June 1987 | For sale November 1994[4] |
| Audemer | L113 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 24 June 1987 | 21 August 1987[4] | Sold 2013.[6] As of 2015, in commercial service as Leslie Anne with Ferguson Shipping, Scotland[7] |
Statistics
- Complement 6
- Length 33.3m
- Beam 8.3m
- Maximum draught (laden) 1.5m
- Displacement (laden) 290 tonnes
- Load capacity 96 tonnes (four 20 ft ISO shipping containers) or 65 tonnes (four fully laden 8 tonne vehicles).
- Propulsion 2 x Dorman 8JTCWM diesel engines
- Maximum speed (laden) 10 knots
References
- ↑ Craftsmen of the Army: The Story of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Volumes 1969-1992 By J M Kneen, D J Sutton. Page 92
- 1 2 "Sale of miscellaneous surplus defence equipment in Cyprus". Ministry of Defence/Defence Equipment and Support. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Prézelin & Baker 1990, p. 743
- 1 2 3 4 Baker 1998, p. 969
- ↑ Sale of ramped landing craft, Arezzo
- ↑ Sale of a ramped landing craft (D/DSA/MST2/2013/03570)
- ↑ Ferguson Transport: Leslie Anne
- Baker, A.D. (1998). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1998–1999. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-111-4.
- Prézelin, Bernard; Baker, A.D., eds. (1990). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World 1990/1991. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-250-8.
- "Defence Standard 00-3/Issue 3- Design Guidance For The Transportability Of Equipment", 27 May 1985, UK Ministry of Defence
- British Army website RCL page
- Gallery of army landing craft: http://www.rfanostalgia.org/gallery3/index.php/RFA-AMPHIBIOUS/Army/Army-Landing-Craft