LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle/PERSONNEL)

Royal Marines LCVP Mk5

The LCVP is a landing craft used b 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines and the Royal Logistics Corps. The craft's primary role is putting ashore men and equipment. The Royal Marines also use the LCVP as a patrol boat. Up to 35 fully-laden Royal Marines and their equipment such as Land Rovers can be carried and embarked by the Mk5 LCVP. The landing craft are usually stored on davits on amphibious assault vessels such as HMS Ocean, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark.

LCVPs Mk5s are operated by a crew of 3.

During Operation Telic, the UK's invasion of Iraq in 2003, Royal Marines patrolled the waterways and marshes of the South in LCVPs (amongst other vessels). A tragic friendly-fire incident occurred when a LCVP operating along the Khawr Az Zubayr River, North of Umm Qasr, was mistaken for an Iraqi patrol boat and engaged by a 42 Commando Milan post, killing one Marine.

view photo of LCVP

LCVP Mk5 Specifications

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