Above:  CONTENDER BEZANT in the River Blackwater before sale to the Govenment for conversion to RFA ARGUS
Source: Mersea Museum / Ian Clarke Collection

Above:  CONTENDER BEZANT laid up in the River Blackwater. Photo by the late Tony Stacey of Mersea. Originally launched in 1981 as the commercially owned and operated CONTENDER BEZANT, a combination freight, roll on and roll off ferry (RORO) and container ship. She was one of the ships taken up from trade by the MoD for use in the 1982 Falklands War. 1984-88 converted to aviation training ship for the Royal Navy. Renamed ARGUS. Pennant No. A135 Date: c1984.
Source: Mersea Museum / Tony Stacey Collection

Above:  West Mersea Lifeboat pictures - RAF Westland Wessex helicopter and laid up ship CONTENDER BEZANT. Date: c1984.
Source: Mersea Museum / Terence Smith