Project Description

The current boarding system of the Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC-V A1/A2) craft is unusable with respect to size and weight and unsuitable during operations. Currently, the Beach Master Units (BMUs) and Underwater Construction Teams (UCTs) use the hub of the hydraulic wheel motor to climb on board the LARC-V A1/A2 during land operations, which removes corrosion-resistant coatings from the motor carcass, resulting in accelerated corrosion and ergonomics. The project entailed a design solution to develop a passenger boarding system which can be used by BMUs and UCTs. Research was conducted by interviewing LARC-V users and evaluating current boarding systems used by commercial and military watercraft. The proposed ladder combines commercial off the shelf items (COTS) readily available with minor modifications to meet the user's operational requirements. The proposed design was chosen based on cost, weight, size, simplicity and manufacturing capabilities. The design is adaptable to different cargo loads and mission types, and is to be easily stowed, deployed, and lifted by one person. The boarding system implementation will provide the LARC-V A1/A2 a safe and efficient method of embarkation/debarkation of personnel during the craft's lifecycle.