ORC Gunboat exhibited at DSEI
Holyhead Marine exhibited its new Mid Console Variant of the Offshore Raiding craft this week at DSEI 2009. Piloted by the Royal Marines of 539 Assault SQN the craft put on quite a show for spectators at the Royal Victoria Docks in London. This is the latest variant on the successful ORC design in service with the Royal Marines and features a centralised console position to allow a 360° field of fire as well as improved ballistic protection. The boat has been designed primarily as a gunboat and visitors were impressed by its combination of manoeuvrability and firepower. The boat and crew have just returned from operation Taurus, a routine deployment of the Royal Navy’s Amphibious Task Group, taking in the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Far East.
Offshore Raiding Craft no. 16 travelled to London this week to take part in DSEi 2007. At Holyhead Marine`s first showing at the World`s most prestigious defence show, the ORC wowed spectators with its manoeuvrability and control as it was put through its paces in the Royal Victoria Dock. The aft console Fire Support Platform variant will be stripped back to its troop carrying/patrol role before taking its place in Faslane`s Royal Marines Fleet Protection Group. 
The second in line to the throne this week had a run in one of the three ORCs stationed with Faslane`s Royal Marines Fleet Protection Group. The prince joined marines as they carried out early morning exercises in his capacity as Commodore-in-Chief of Scotland and Submarines. Two ORCs along with several RIBs and a helicopter were used to simulate an early morning ship-boarding exercise on the Clyde.