Newbuild landing craft for Thames

Portsmouth, UK- based boatbuilder PDL Marine has just announced a second vessel build for Livett’s Group a busy vessel operator on London’s River Thames.

The LC800 is a versatile landing craft built to MCA Cat 3 which will work along with PDL’s previous LC900 build and similarly will use HVO fuel.

The 8.7m vessel can cater for loads up to 2500kg and will be supplied with a heated and closed cabin.

The vessel was specifically designed with Livett’s operations in mind as it had to be IMO compliant while able to sustain high speeds when required. A twin OXE Diesel 150hp engine installation ensures that the engine power per unit is kept below the IMO Tier III limit of 130kW (174hp). Twin engines also aid in manoeuvrability and redundancy.

These engines weigh in at 350kg apiece, but they also offer 380Nm of torque at 2500rpm from their 2 litre powerheads.

Livett’s has made use of OXE’s Power in Partnership scheme with this purchase. Simply put, the customer only pays for the installation of the engine (typically £6,565 + VAT), then pays on an hourly basis, minimising initial capital expenditure and making it far easier to forecast the annual operating costs, as all servicing parts and labour as well as the remote monitoring of the outboard are included within the hourly rate.

Using these engines will reduce the fuel consumption by up to 42% compared to modern petrol outboards. Running on HVO fuel will also help to reduce the CO₂ emissions.

The vessel was commissioned by Livett’s Group to work on a multitude of tasks such as filming, transport of passengers and freight and safety boat work. It can also operate as a workboat. The idea of using a landing craft, trialled successfully with the LC900 means that the operator is no longer restricted to being reliant on traditional piers. The tidal Thames has a significant acreage of landable foreshore in low tide conditions which a boat of this sort can capitalise on.

The vessel will be capable of approximately 30 knots.