Landing craft Workstar 13

inboardaluminum

The Workstar 13m aluminium landing craft was modified for the work requirements of the British Red Cross in the Maldives: conversion to inboard power, a powerpack and hydraulics to operate the knuckle crane, a passenger shelter with galley and WC, a flying bridge over and an extended bow door. Extensive outfitting was specified with all electrics, navigation and electronics including a Garmin 20nm radar with integrated GPS and comprehensive safety equipment including two Zodiac eight-man liferafts. Ferry-style seats were installed for ten passengers. Power is from twin Yanmar 4LHA-STP240hp/178kW driving Hamilton HJ274 waterjets. The 13mLC was built by Aliboats from a fully comprehensive kit supplied by Working Boats, trucked to Walvis Bay in Namibia for sea trials and then shipped to the Maldives. Working Boats supplied a skipper for the first six months, to commission and run the ship and train the local crew. The waterjets proved their worth around the reefs, lagoons and shallow waterways between the islands and the landing craft with its bow door proved invaluable for loading and unloading onto the island beaches. During the its first year of operation the landing craft performed exceptionally well for the British Red Cross. The boat proved highly manoeuvrable and reliable and with its spacious load deck capable of carrying large loads of supplies, building materials and equipment as well as transporting BRC personnel between the islands.