{{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 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,<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|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, 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, where they were used in loading the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 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 for using his Mexeflote to rescue survivors at 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 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.<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 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, to transport supplies to the remote Haitian village of Anse-à-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 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 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 engines), 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, 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.<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