Mexeflote
{{Infobox weapon
|is_vehicle=yes
|is_UK=yes
|origin={{flag|United Kingdom}}
|manufacturer=
|name=Mexeflote
| image= Mexeflote solent.JPG
| image_size = 300
|caption=A Mexeflote raft
|type=Landing raft
|length=Standard: {{convert|20.12|m|abbr=on}}
Maxi: {{convert|38.41|m|abbr=on}}
|width=Standard: {{convert|7.42|m|abbr=on}}
Maxi {{convert|12.20|m|abbr=on}}
|weight=
|engine=2 x Hydromaster 6cyl diesel at 75 hp each or 2x Thrustmaster OD150N Propulsion Units
|payload_capacity=Standard: {{convert|60,000|kg|abbr=on}}
Larger: {{convert|120,000|kg|abbr=on}}
Largest: {{convert|180,000|kg|abbr=on}}
|crew=6
|engine_power=150 hp combined}}
The Mexeflote is a landing raft used by the United Kingdom's Royal Logistic Corps and the Royal Australian Navy to move goods and vehicles between ship and shore. It was first used by British military in the 1960s. It was used during the Falklands War, and has been used in humanitarian aid missions. The system was developed from the earlier Rhino ferry. The Mexeflote is named after the Military Engineering Experimental Establishment (MEXE) in the UK where it was designed,[https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/03/replacing-the-mexeflote/ Thinkdefence: Replacing the Mexeflote] in conjunction with the neologism "flote" instead of "float".
History
The Mexeflote was introduced to the UK military in the 1960s,{{citation
|title=Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics|publisher=Jane's|date=27 April 2009|section=Tactical floating bridges and ferries|accessdate=2010-05-18|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/MEXEFLOTE-multipurpose-pontoon-and-harbour-equipment-United-Kingdom.html}} and it subsequently saw service in the Falklands War, in which three units were used,{{Cite web|url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/HMS-Fearless.htm|title=The Landing Ships and Landing Craft|publisher=www.britains-smallwars.com|accessdate=24 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211225924/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/HMS-Fearless.htm|archive-date=11 December 2009|url-status=dead}} including in Southampton, where they were used in loading the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Navy ships going to the Falklands.{{Cite book|last=Puddefoot|first=Geoff|others=Major Robin H G Barton, MBE|title=The Fourth Force|publisher=Seaforth|section=Appendix 4|date=2009|isbn=978-1-84832-046-8}} Mexeflotes were used as causeways between ships in the open ocean, stores were driven between ships over a mexeflote causeway with Fiat Allis forklifts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/shore-logistics-san-carlos-beyond/|title = Over the Shore Logistics - San Carlos and Beyond - Think Defence}} Sgt Boultby of 17 Port Regiment, RCT was awarded the Military Medal for using his Mexeflote to rescue survivors at Bluff Cove.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/shore-logistics-san-carlos-beyond/|title = Over the Shore Logistics - San Carlos and Beyond - Think Defence}}
In February 1983 a Mexeflote was used to move a Short Sandringham flying boat from Lee-on-Solent to Southampton docks from where it would then be moved to Southampton Hall of Aviation which was then under construction.{{cite book |last=Jones |first=Alan |date=1984 |title=Southampton Hall Of Aviation The Aviation Experience |chapter=Making of a Museum |publisher= |pages=23-25 }}
In 1994, the Army ordered an additional 50 units, and in 2000 they upgraded 60 of the rafts. The Mexeflote was used during the 2010 Haiti earthquake, to transport supplies to the remote Haitian village of Anse-à-Veau from {{ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006|6}}.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RfaLargsBayDeliversAidToIsolatedHaitianVillage.htm|title=RFA Largs Bay delivers aid to isolated Haitian village|publisher=www.mod.uk|accessdate=24 March 2010}}
Currently the rafts are crewed by the Royal Logistic Corps and they are largely used by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Bay class landing ships. As part of the Royal Australian Navy's acquisition of the Bay class ship RFA Largs Bay (renamed {{HMAS|Choules|L100|6}} for Australian service), two Mexeflotes were also acquired.*{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Choules_commissioned |title=HMAS Choules commissioned |work=News |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=21 December 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830080259/http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Choules_commissioned |archivedate=30 August 2012}}
File:HMAS Choules mexeflote.jpg|A Mexeflote suspended from the starboard flank of {{HMAS|Choules}}
File:UK task group links up with Italian carrier in last act of autumn deployment MOD 45167525.jpg|{{RFAux|Lyme Bay|L3007}} with a Mexeflote on its port side
File:Mexeflote transporting disaster relief teams ashore from RFA Lyme Bay, seen in the background. MOD 45159804.jpg|Mexeflote transporting disaster relief teams ashore from RFA Lyme Bay
File:UK Royal Logistics Corps Mexflote arrives in Anguilla.jpg|Royal Logistics Corps Mexflote arrives in Anguilla
File:GRAND TURK WELCOMES BACK RFA MOUNTS BAY MOD 45164026.jpg|Mexifloat unloading on the beach at Grand Tuck with heavy plant for use in the rebuild after the hurricane
Design
Mexeflote is a powered raft (two diesel engines), used to move goods and vehicles between ship and shore when a pier is not available.{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/rlc/equipment/763.aspx|title=Mexeflote Raft|publisher=www.army.mod.uk|accessdate=24 March 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408073807/http://www.army.mod.uk/rlc/equipment/763.aspx|archivedate=8 April 2009|df=dmy-all}} The Mexeflote is designed in three sizes;
| class=wikitable | ||||
| Type || Length || Width || Capacity || Ref | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard size | {{convert|20.12|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|7.32|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|60,000|kg|abbr=on}} | {{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/ab/ab_mex.htm|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20041227193323/http://www.army.mod.uk/equipment/ab/ab_mex.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 December 2004|title=Landing Craft and Assault Boats; Mexeflote|publisher=www.army.mod.uk|accessdate=18 May 2010}} |
| rowspan=2 | Larger versions (Maxi-Mexeflote)
|{{convert|38.41|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|7.32|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|120,000|kg|abbr=on}} | ||
| {{convert|38.41|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|12.2|m|abbr=on}} | {{convert|180,000|kg|abbr=on}} |
Each version has three components; bow, stern, and centre, which can be fitted together as required, making the Mexeflote a versatile craft.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2010/01/what-is-a-mexeflote/|title=What is a Mexeflote|publisher=www.thinkdefence.co.uk|accessdate=24 March 2010}} The different sections allow it to be used as a raft, a floating pontoon, or as a causeway from ship to shore.
Mexeflote was the basis for the design of the Modular Elevated Causeway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mcs.htm|title=Modular Causeway Systems|publisher=www.globalsecurity.org|accessdate=24 March 2010}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
{{commons category|Mexeflote}}
- Operational Testing of the Mexeflote Lashing and Launching System for Pontoon Causeways. - August 1970. Billie R. Karrh; James J. Traffalis; Naval Civil Engineering Lab.
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
Category:Military vehicles of the United Kingdom