Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo (LARC) vehicles
LARC being unloaded (Photo: Mick Loederman)
There were three basic models of the LARC developed from 1952 to 1959, and the AAD uses the LARC-V, which was designed in 1959. The LARC-V went into production in 1963, with a total of 950 being manufactured.
LARCs were first used by the AAD at Macquarie Island in the Summer of 1970-71, and were operated for the AAD by the Army (10th Terminal Regiment). Throughout the 1970s and 80s to 1994 the LARC was part of every expeditioner's Antarctic experience. The LARC is a very seaworthy design, this being demonstrated by LARCs twice circumnavigating Macquarie Island, first in 1976-77 taking eighteen hours, and the second in 1993 taking eleven hours. A key role, further demonstrating its versatility, was played by the LARC in evacuating passengers and crew from the Nela Dan in very hazardous conditions, after she was driven ashore at Buckles Bay, Macquarie Island in 1984. LARCs were also used at Heard Island in 2005.
At over 35 years old the AAD's LARCs are basically historic machines, some 600 LARCs were disposed of during the US withdrawal of Vietnam by simply sinking them at sea. Add to this the fact they are no longer in production makes fully operational examples rare, however it goes to show how well adapted and enduring the design is for subantarctic ship to shore operations.
LARCs were first used by the AAD at Macquarie Island in the Summer of 1970-71, and were operated for the AAD by the Army (10th Terminal Regiment). Throughout the 1970s and 80s to 1994 the LARC was part of every expeditioner's Antarctic experience. The LARC is a very seaworthy design, this being demonstrated by LARCs twice circumnavigating Macquarie Island, first in 1976-77 taking eighteen hours, and the second in 1993 taking eleven hours. A key role, further demonstrating its versatility, was played by the LARC in evacuating passengers and crew from the Nela Dan in very hazardous conditions, after she was driven ashore at Buckles Bay, Macquarie Island in 1984. LARCs were also used at Heard Island in 2005.
At over 35 years old the AAD's LARCs are basically historic machines, some 600 LARCs were disposed of during the US withdrawal of Vietnam by simply sinking them at sea. Add to this the fact they are no longer in production makes fully operational examples rare, however it goes to show how well adapted and enduring the design is for subantarctic ship to shore operations.
Further information on Antarctic watercraft.
