We at Proteum are thrilled to have provided PDL Marine and the National Trust two 150hp OXE diesel outboards. These will be installed on a 12m landing craft, offering transportation services to Orford Ness in Suffolk. The current access method involves a ferry from Orford Quay, which can be challenging for those with mobility issues due to the steep and slippery steps. The new craft will enable step-free access to the Ness, making it possible for wheelchair users, families with buggies, and others who cannot use steps to visit.
The landing craft is designed to transport a vehicle and a trailer weighing up to 4 tons or 12 passengers per crossing and will be coded to MCA category 3. In addition, it features a pair of OXE 150Hp diesel outboards and internal fuel tanks. The wheelhouse can accommodate a helm and two crew members, and a bow thruster is installed to assist in the strong current that can flow on the Alde-Ore Estuary.
Glen Pearce, the Property Operations Manager for the National Trust at Orford Ness, expressed his excitement for the new landing craft, saying, “In recent years, we have made efforts to make Orford Ness more accessible to our visitors, but the short river crossing remains a barrier for many. The new landing craft will enable more people to visit and make bringing equipment and rare breed sheep on and off the site easier, allowing us to carry out important conservation work.”