# Mexeflote

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{{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: {{cvt|20.12|m|ftin}}<br/>Maxi: {{cvt|38.41|m|ftin}}
|width=Standard: {{cvt|7.42|m|ftin}}<br/>Maxi {{cvt|12.20|m|ftin}}
|weight=
|engine=2 × Hydromaster 6 cyl. diesel engines at {{cvt|75|hp}} each or 2 × Thrustmaster OD150N propulsion units
|payload_capacity=Standard: {{cvt|60000|kg}}<br/>Larger: {{cvt|120000|kg}}<br/>Largest: {{cvt|180000|kg}}
|crew=6
|engine_power={{cvt|150|hp}} combined}}

The '''Mexeflote''' is a [landing raft](/source/Landing_craft) used by the United Kingdom's [Royal Logistic Corps](/source/Royal_Logistic_Corps) and the [Royal Australian Navy](/source/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](/source/Falklands_War), and has been used in humanitarian aid missions. The system was developed from the earlier [Rhino ferry](/source/Rhino_ferry). The Mexeflote is named after the [Military Engineering Experimental Establishment](/source/Military_Engineering_Experimental_Establishment) (MEXE) in the UK where it was designed,<ref name=mexe>[https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/03/replacing-the-mexeflote/ Thinkdefence: Replacing the Mexeflote]</ref> in conjunction with the neologism "flote" instead of "float".

==History==
The Mexeflote was introduced to the UK military in the 1960s,<ref name="janes">{{citation |title=Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics|publisher=[Jane's](/source/Jane's_Information_Group)|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}}</ref> and it subsequently saw service in the [Falklands War](/source/Falklands_War), in which three units were used,<ref name="smallwars">{{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}}</ref> including in [Southampton](/source/Southampton), where they were used in loading the [Royal Fleet Auxiliary](/source/Royal_Fleet_Auxiliary) and [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) ships going to the Falklands.<ref name="4thforce">{{Cite book|last1=Puddefoot|first1=Geoff|first2=Robin H G |last2=Barton|title=The Fourth Force|publisher=Seaforth|section=Appendix 4|date=2009|isbn=978-1-84832-046-8}}</ref>  Mexeflotes were used as causeways between ships in the open ocean, stores were driven between ships over a Mexeflote causeway with Fiat Allis forklifts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/shore-logistics-san-carlos-beyond/|title = Over the Shore Logistics - San Carlos and Beyond - Think Defence}}</ref> Sergeant Boultby of 17 Port Regiment, RCT was awarded the [Military Medal](/source/Military_Medal) for using his Mexeflote to rescue survivors at [Bluff Cove](/source/Bluff_Cove).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/shore-logistics-san-carlos-beyond/|title = Over the Shore Logistics - San Carlos and Beyond - Think Defence}}</ref> 

In February 1983 a Mexeflote was used to move a [Short Sandringham](/source/Short_Sandringham) flying boat from [Lee-on-Solent](/source/Lee-on-Solent) to Southampton docks from where it would then be moved to [Southampton Hall of Aviation](/source/Southampton_Hall_of_Aviation) which was then under construction.<ref name=jones23>{{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 }}</ref>

In 1994, the [British Army](/source/British_Army) ordered an additional 50 units, and in 2000 they upgraded 60 of the rafts.<ref name="janes" /> The Mexeflote was used during the [2010 Haiti earthquake](/source/2010_Haiti_earthquake), to transport supplies to the remote Haitian village of [Anse-à-Veau](/source/Anse-%C3%A0-Veau) from {{ship|RFA|Largs Bay|L3006|6}}.<ref name="mod">{{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}}</ref>

The rafts are crewed by the [Royal Logistic Corps](/source/Royal_Logistic_Corps) and they are largely used by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's {{sclass2|Bay|landing ship|1}}s.<ref name="smallwars"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

<gallery mode=packed heights=160>
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|6}} 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 Mexeflote arrives in [Anguilla](/source/Anguilla)
File:GRAND TURK WELCOMES BACK RFA MOUNTS BAY MOD 45164026.jpg|Mexeflote unloading on the beach at Grand Turk with heavy plant for use in the rebuild after the hurricane
</gallery>

==Design==
Mexeflote is a powered raft (two [diesel engine](/source/diesel_engine)s), used to move goods and vehicles between ship and shore when a pier is not available.<ref name="army.mod">{{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}}</ref> The Mexeflote is designed in three sizes; 

{| class=wikitable
|-
!Type || Length || Width || Capacity || Ref
|-
|Standard size || {{cvt|20.12|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|7.32|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|60000|kg}} ||<ref name="army.mod2">{{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}}</ref>
|- 
| rowspan=2 | Larger versions (''Maxi-Mexeflote'')<ref name="janes"/> 
|{{cvt|38.41|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|7.32|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|120000|kg}} ||<ref name="army.mod2" />  
|-
| {{cvt|38.41|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|12.2|m|ftin}} || {{cvt|180000|kg}} ||<ref name="army.mod2" /> 
|}

Each version has three components; [bow](/source/Bow_(watercraft)), [stern](/source/stern), and centre, which can be fitted together as required, making the Mexeflote a versatile craft.<ref name="army.mod"/><ref name="thinkdefence">{{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}}</ref> The different sections allow it to be used as a raft, a floating pontoon, or as a causeway from ship to shore.<ref name="janes"/>

Mexeflote was the basis for the design of the [Modular Elevated Causeway](/source/Modular_Elevated_Causeway).<ref name="globalsecurity">{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/mcs.htm|title=Modular Causeway Systems|publisher=www.globalsecurity.org|accessdate=24 March 2010}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{commons category}}
*''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
Category:Amphibious warfare vessels of the British Army
Category:Royal Logistic Corps

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mexeflote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexeflote) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexeflote?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.