PDL Marine and the National Trust are pleased to announce the signing of a contract to design and build a new 12m Landing craft for their site at Orford Ness in Suffolk. The project will enable the National Trust to operate transportation services to the Ness from the main landing point at Orford slipway.
The remote shingle spit on the Suffolk Coast is currently accessed by a ferry from Orford quay which, at low tide, can mean walking down a number steep and often slippery steps. However, the new craft will allow wheelchair users, families with buggies or those unable to use steps, step free access to the Ness.
The vessel is designed to carry a vehicle and trailer up to 4 tons or 12 passengers per crossing and will be coded to MCA category 3. The landing craft is fitted with a pair of OXE 150Hp diesel outboards and internal fuel tanks and the wheelhouse can accommodate a helm and two crew, it is also fitted with a bow thruster to assist in the strong current that can flow on the Alde-Ore Estuary.
“In recent years we’ve strived to make Orford Ness more accessible to our visitors, but the short river crossing still remains a barrier to many of our visitors so the new landing craft will mean so many more people will be able to visit. The new craft will also give us much more flexibility in bringing equipment and the flock of rare breed sheep on and off site making it easier to carry out important conservation work.”
Glen Pearce, the Property Operations Manager for the National Trust at Orford Ness
“We are delighted to secure the contract with National Trust for the build of the landing craft and hope it will serve them very well for a long time to come. I wish to pass my thanks on to all the team at National Trust for the opportunity.”
Philip Lovegrove, the managing director at PDL Marine
PDL Marine are aluminium boat builders and fabricators at Portchester, near Portsmouth and specialise in landing craft, patrol boats and survey vessels.
