Alanding craft vehicle personnel orlanding craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) is any of a variety of amphibiouslanding craft designed to transport troops or armoured vehicles from ship to shore duringamphibious landings.
Since 1993, theRoyal Australian Navy has operated four Australian-designed and builtlanding craft, vehicle and personnel (similar in size and concept to the World War IILCVP) from the landing ship, heavyHMAS Tobruk and replenishment oilerHMAS Success. These aluminum craft were built by Geraldton Boat Builders and can carry up to 36 personnel or aLand Rover with a half-ton trailer. They are maintained for the RAN by the firmDMS Maritime. As of 2007,T 4 was held in reserve at the naval baseHMAS Cairns,T 5 andT 6 were carried byTobruk, andT 7 was embarked onSuccess.[1] The craft remained in service as of 2015.[2]
The designation was first used in British service for theLCVP Mk2s introduced with the twoFearless class amphibious transport docks, the role having previously been carried out by thelanding craft assault developed during theSecond World War. They are manned and operated by1 Assault Group Royal Marines.[3]
TheAmerican version of the LCVP, the Higgins boat, was used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was designed byAndrew Higgins based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes. More than 20,000 were built, byHiggins Industries and licensees.[4] Typically constructed from plywood, this shallow-draft, barge-like boat could ferry aplatoon-sized complement of 36 men to shore at 9knots (17 km/h). Men generally entered the boat by climbing down acargo net hung from the side of theirtroop transport; they exited by charging down the boat'sbow ramp.
Other countries with naval resources may also have LCVPs. For example, theItalian shipSan Giusto is recorded as having a complement of these. TheRoyal Canadian Navy's supply shipMS Asterix is equipped with 2 LCVP.
