Designed by Andrew Higgins of New Orleans, the wooden LCP(L) or Eureka Boat was the original ‘Higgins Boat’ before that name became more commonly applied to a later model from the same designer, the LCVP. It was used by both the US and the British. It did not have a ramp so troops would have to clamber over the side when landing, and by 1944 it only had an auxiliary role, including as despatch boats or for smoke-laying. The LCP(Sy) – Survey – was an Landing Craft, Personnel (Large) used as navigational leader for landing craft, fitted with extra equipment including radar.
Above: US troops in training climbing into a US Coast Guard-manned Landing Craft, Personnel (Large) during a training exercise. This shows the craft’s bow. Visible are the coxswain’s position and one of the circular machine-gunner’s positions, all of which were moved to the stern in later craft to make way for the bow ramp. (Photo: US National Archives)
Sources for more information:
Doyle, David, US Landing Craft of WWII, Vol.1. The LCP(L), LCP(R), LCV, LCVP, LCS(L), LCM and LCI. (Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2019)