LCT 7074 - Vessel Conservation Services

"LCT 7074, also known as 'Landfall,' is the last Second World War Landing Craft (Tank) in the United Kingdom, and one of the last in the world. More than 800 LCTs took part in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, each capable of carrying ten tanks or other heavy armoured vehicles into battle. As far as can be established, 7074 is the last of these vital workhorses known to have actually participated in D-Day. After a chequered postwar career involving conversion into a floating clubhouse and nightclub, and then an ill-fated attempt to conserve her by the now-defunct Warships Preservation Trust, the ship was semi-derelict and sunk at her moorings at East Float Dock, Birkenhead. With the help of the National Heritage Memorial Fund she was recovered from Birkenhead and moved to Portsmouth Royal Naval Base where she is now within the BAE ship hall resting on dock blocks. In September 2017 the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) granted NMRN a Development Grant to plan for the conservation of the vessel and move her to Southsea by June 2019 where she will be displayed and open to the public as part of the 'D' Day museum. The Development Grant allows NMRN to develop its plans and costings to submit a further application (Stage Two) to HLF in June 2018 to win funds to carry out the delivery stage of the project. To win funding for the delivery stage it is imperative that the submission in June 2018 complies with the initial application for funds in terms of deliverables and costs; so the NMRN are seeking a Contractor who can offer value and work with the team to maintain the project deliverables and costs.

Project Objectives. A summary of the project objectives is as follows:

• To conserve LCT 7074 and allow easy access for ongoing monitoring and in the future further preservation.
• Prepare her for display to the general public.
• Transport her whole or in parts to site at the D day museum, Southsea, Portsmouth.
• Position on the block arrangements and reassemble (if applicable).
• Complete painting, presentation and set to work any systems.