Passers-by were intrigued to see a military landing craft on East Looe Beach.
The Royal Naval amphibious vehicle was on the shore at low tide and its Commandos were on a salvage mission for a ’kedge’ or sea anchor which had been lost on a previous exercise.
Despite their best efforts, the Royal Marines from Devonport could not locate the anchor and had to return to home empty handed.
The Navy operates a range of landing craft of different specifications. Its Mark 5 landing craft is described as being 15.5 metres long and capable of carrying a company of 35 fully equipped Commandos, or four armoured personnel vehicles.
While yesterday’s trip to Looe was likely to have been part of a training exercise, the landing craft’s primary role is to transfer soldiers, vehicles and equipment onto potentially hostile shores.