VESSEL REVIEW | Romeo Lima – Versatile, compact landing craft for River Thames operator

London-based marine services provider the Livett’s Group recently added a newbuild landing craft to its River Thames workboat fleet.

Romeo Lima was built in Portsmouth by PDL Marine, which also constructed the earlier Livett’s landing craft Bravo Lima GB. At 8.7 metres, the newer vessel is slightly smaller than the 8.9-metre long Bravo Lima GB but is fitted with a heated wheelhouse to provide some protection from the elements for the six passengers and two crewmembers. The wheelhouse also has full-length glass doors to ensure improved visibility from the helm station.

Romeo Lima is powered by two OXE Marine outboard engines that can run on either diesel or hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which Livett’s said is made from 100 per cent renewable raw materials such as vegetable oils, animal oils, and fats to reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 90 per cent. Two engines are fitted for redundancy and for enhanced performance, allowing the vessel to execute tighter turns as well as easily reach a speed of 30 knots.

A bow ramp/door provides easy drive-on, drive-off access to the waterline for light vans and electric bicycles while the deck is fitted with a 500-kilogram davit and can accommodate cargo totaling 2,500 kilograms. A draught of only 0.87 metres will allow the vessel to reach even the more restrictive portions of the Thames.

Livett’s said the versatile design makes the vessel ideal for a wide range of marine activities, including River Thames filming and all marine film services. Additionally, it can also be deployed as a camera boat, a safety boat, a drone platform, or a flexible vessel for river wall and foreshore surveys. The versatility is aided by the incorporation of features such as a man overboard/dive ladder, a designated rescue zone, a high camera pod position, two anchors, and a VHF radio.

Thanks to its lightweight aluminium hull, Romeo Lima is also transportable by road and coded for use on all UK waterways.