After receiving an enquiry via their website from a US Army Sergeant First Class, the team at South Shields, UK based Solar Solve Marine were not only able to satisfy his requirements but ended up being praised for their service.
In the original enquiry the sergeant explained that he was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and on board a US Army Vessel, Landing Craft Utility LCU-2000 and had seen anti-glare roller sunshades at the bridge windows of other similar vessels. He wanted to know if they could supply them for his vessel.
A member of the sales team contacted the vessel, explained how to measure the windows, quoted on receipt of the information and an order was placed. The screens were made and dispatched 2 days later.
On follow-up to ensure the screens had arrived and been installed without problem, Carl Johnson, Solar Solve’s Operations Director spoke to the sergeant who told him that the solar shades had arrived fine, were installed without difficulty and work perfectly. He commented, “You guys have done really good work”, adding that he was more than happy and would pass on the word to his compatriots.
There were 35 LCU-2000 landing craft delivered to the US Army between 1990 and 1992. They were built by Trinity – Moss Point Marine for US Army Service to replace older US Navy designed landing craft. Displacing 1100 tons fully loaded they are 174 ft. long, 42 ft. beam and 8.5 draft with 2500 bhp engine capacity and a speed of 11.5 knots.
