Ramped craft logistic
Image of small landing craft alongside harbour wall.
RCL L106 Antwerp moored in Akrotiri harbour, Cyprus
Class overview
Builders
Operators
Built1980–1985
Completed9
General characteristics
TypeLanding craft
Displacement185 GT
Length27.2 m (89 ft)
Beam6.6 m (22 ft)
Draught
  • 1 m (3 ft 3 in) bow
  • 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) stern
Propulsion2 x Volvo Penta D9MH
Speed9 kn (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Complement6

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]

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

There 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

  1. ↑ 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
  2. 1 2 "Sale of miscellaneous surplus defence equipment in Cyprus". Ministry of Defence/Defence Equipment and Support. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Marine Services". Ferguson Transport & Shipping. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Prézelin & Baker 1990, p. 743
  5. ↑ https://www.mod-sales.com/pdf/62520.pdf
  6. ↑ "Jenna J" (PDF). Ferguson Transport & Shipping. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Baker 1998, p. 969
  8. ↑ Sale of a ramped landing craft (D/DSA/MST2/2013/03570)
  9. ↑ Ferguson Transport: Leslie Anne

Bibliography

  • 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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