Mk 6 Assault Boat
Encyclopedia
The Mk 6 Assault Boat is a boat used by the Royal Engineers
of the British Army
. It is usually paddled for a silent or night-time approach, but can be fitted with an outboard motor
. Its built from glass reinforced plastic and is light enough to be carried by four men.
The Mk 6 Assault Boat is used as a versatile, general purpose craft that was designed to carry up to 10 fully equipped troops or 1,043 kg of stores. It also makes a useful ferry craft when fitted with an outboard motor. Assault Boats may be stacked six deep for storage or transport.
Whilst basic and often overlooked it has been in constant operational use since its introduction, including conducting patrols on Helmand Reservoir in Afghanistan
and proved highly useful in the Southern Iraq
Marshes, especially over the last year of British Operations on the Qarmat Ali Waterway, north of Basra
where the ability to carry the boat over shallows made it much more employable than the faster but larger Rigid Raider
or Combat Support Boat
.
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. It is usually paddled for a silent or night-time approach, but can be fitted with an outboard motor
Outboard motor
An outboard motor is a propulsion system for boats, consisting of a self-contained unit that includes engine, gearbox and propeller or jet drive, designed to be affixed to the outside of the transom and are the most common motorized method of propelling small watercraft...
. Its built from glass reinforced plastic and is light enough to be carried by four men.
The Mk 6 Assault Boat is used as a versatile, general purpose craft that was designed to carry up to 10 fully equipped troops or 1,043 kg of stores. It also makes a useful ferry craft when fitted with an outboard motor. Assault Boats may be stacked six deep for storage or transport.
Whilst basic and often overlooked it has been in constant operational use since its introduction, including conducting patrols on Helmand Reservoir in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and proved highly useful in the Southern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
Marshes, especially over the last year of British Operations on the Qarmat Ali Waterway, north of Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
where the ability to carry the boat over shallows made it much more employable than the faster but larger Rigid Raider
Rigid Raider
The Rigid Raider is a series of fast patrol/assault boat made by RTK Marine, a subsidiary of Halmatic . They are in service with many armed forces, including the Royal Marines, the SBS and Royal Engineers...
or Combat Support Boat
Combat Support Boat
The Combat Support Boat is a boat in use with the British Army. It is a powerful, versatile craft whose major role is to support both bridging and amphibious operations. Powered by Water jet propulsion it has a high thrust at shallow draught. It is also be used as a general-purpose working boat and...
.