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, later stationed at the military port at Marchwood, near Southampton, RCLs were originally procured for UK, Cyprus and Hong Kong.[1] The two based at the British base at Akrotiri, Cyprus, Andalsnes and Akyab were operated as 417 Troop of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC. They were sold in 2014[2]
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders |
|
| Operators |
|
| Built | 1980–1985 |
| Completed | 9 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Landing craft |
| Displacement | 185 GT |
| Length | 27.2 m (89 ft) |
| Beam | 6.6 m (22 ft) |
| Draught |
|
| Propulsion | 2 x Volvo Penta D9MH |
| Speed | 9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph) |
| Complement | 6 |
Ferguson Transport and Shipping bought four members of the class and fitted them with Epsilon hydraulic cranes for commercial work, principally around the west coast of Scotland.[3]
Fleet list
editThere were 9 ramped craft logistic brought into service:
| Name | Pennant number[4] | Builder[4] | Ordered[4] | Launched[4] | In service[4] | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arromanches | L105 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | 18 March 1980 | 6 January 1981 | 31 July 1981 | Sold[5] Renamed Jenna J in 2020. In commercial service for Ferguson Transport & Shipping Ltd.[6] |
| Antwerp | L106 | Brooke Marine, Lowestoft | 18 March 1980 | 9 March 1981 | 14 August 1981 | For sale November 1994[7] |
| 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[7] |
| Akyab | L109 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | 31 March 1983 | 20 November 1984 | 21 December 1984 | Stricken 2010 |
| 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 | Bought by Ferguson Transport & Shipping. Now operating as fish farm feed vessel under the name Carly - registered in Stornoway |
| Agheila | L112 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 27 April 1987 | 12 June 1987 | For sale November 1994[7] |
| Audemer | L113 | James & Stone, Brightlingsea | March 1985 | 24 June 1987 | 21 August 1987[7] | Sold 2013.[8] Now in commercial service as Leslie Anne with Ferguson Transport & Shipping.[9] |
References
edit- ^ 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
- ^ a b "Sale of miscellaneous surplus defence equipment in Cyprus". Ministry of Defence/Defence Equipment and Support. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- ^ "Marine Services". Ferguson Transport & Shipping. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Prézelin & Baker 1990, p. 743
- ^ https://www.mod-sales.com/pdf/62520.pdf M.O.D Sales Company Sales Notice: 62520: Ramped Craft Logistic Ex RLCV SOLD
- ^ "Jenna J" (PDF). Ferguson Transport & Shipping. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d Baker 1998, p. 969
- ^ Sale of a ramped landing craft (D/DSA/MST2/2013/03570)
- ^ Ferguson Transport: Leslie Anne
Bibliography
edit- 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
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