Land Rover rises to the challenge set down by marine explorer Halls

LAND ROVER has responded to the challenge laid down by marine explorer Monty Halls to design and engineer a ‘Dive Centre’ Defender.  

The explorer, now a global ambassador for the brand, wanted a dual purpose Defender specially equipped to provide not just transport for his diving and film crews, but also to serve as a mobile base camp and dive centre in remote, off-road locations.
 
Halls did not believe all his ambitious specifications could be met, but the specialists at Solihull’s Engineered to Order (ETO) team succeeded.

The bespoke vehicle is packed with clever engineering and design solutions that take its functionality to a new level.  His brief was for a vehicle that could support his diving and conservation expeditions – “a one-stop, go-anywhere, cope-with-anything dive centre and laboratory”.

The modifications included features specific to his work such as storage for diving air tanks, a VHF ship-to-shore-style radio, a water tank and hosing facility for cleaning kit and provisions for night working, such as external lighting.

He also asked for a sliding table, strong enough to bear up to 200kg and an awning to give protection from the elements.

Even more challenging to achieve was his requirement to be able to attach a trailer to either side of the vehicle with a winch system for launching or landing a dinghy.

Halls has years of Land Rover experience gained in the field in his earlier career as a Royal Marine. In his current role he is a popular and respected marine wildlife and conservation expert, diver, film maker and author.

He said: “I’ve had Land Rovers for years; the association goes back to my days in the Royal Marines when they were very much the vehicle of choice for doing improbable tasks over impossible terrain. After leaving the marines and getting into expeditions, it seems a natural transition to continue using Landies. I’ve had several old Defenders, a new Defender, Freelander and the new Discovery, so I am a Land Rover fan through and through.”

While most of Halls’ exploration is beneath the waves, the all-terrain capability of the Defender will be crucial for getting him to remote locations and providing a versatile and reliable base of his work in the field.

Looking forward to his new ambassadorial role, he said: “My specialty is sea level and below, so people might think my options are limited. But the reality is we have 11,000 miles of coastline in the UK and frequently the only way to reach it is overland, taking all your equipment with you.”

Expeditions planned include a project to monitor basking sharks off Cornwall and observing Orca whales in Norway.

“The vehicle will be perfect to access high points for viewing their movements, as well as putting boats into the water in remote coves,” he said.

When he is not out in the field, Halls will also be using his new Defender as part of his regular ambassador work in his touring shows and lectures at schools and colleges.

Mark Cameron, Land Rover Brand Experience Director said: “Working with Monty on this project has provided a great opportunity to practically demonstrate the skill and flexibility of our engineers to create bespoke customer solutions.  This one off interpretation of the Land Rover Defender will provide real value to Monty’s marine research projects and of course this fits very well with Land Rover’s Above and Beyond spirit.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close