Ramped craft logistic

RCL L106 Antwerp moored in Akrotiri harbour, Cyprus

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 They are slowly being withdrawn from service, as of 2015.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:

• L105 Arromanches
• L106 Antwerp
• L107 Andalsnes
• L108 Abbeville
• L109 Akyab
• L110 Aachen
• L111 Arezzo
• L112 Agheila
• L113 Audemer

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

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. Sale of ramped craft logistic https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sale-of-miscellaneous-surplus-defence-equipment-in-cyprus (accessed 2 Aug 15)

• "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