Land Rover builds one-off Defender Dive Centre

Land Rover has just built a one-off Defender truck for marine explorer and conservationist Monty Halls. A noted TV presenter and marine biologist, Halls has helmed several TV shows on BBC and Animal Planet. He is perhaps best known for his TV series called “Great Ocean Adventures,” his National Geographic specials, and his work on The Underwater Channel.

This bespoke Dive Centre Defender has been equipped to house not only the diving gear, but also so serve as a mobile camp for Halls and his crew. Halls was skeptical that Land Rover would be able to include all the things that he wanted to see in the truck, but the special build team apparently came through with flying colors. Halls wanted to see not only a sliding table in the cargo compartment of the truck that would be able to about 440 pounds of diving gear, but also a canopy awning to fit over the side of the truck. The list of things he needed didn't stop there, as he also asked for storage for diving air tanks, a water tank, a hosing basin for cleaning diving equipment and a VHF ship-to-shore radio.

Land Rover
Monty Halls has hosted a number of shows that have aired on BBC and Animal Planet.

Aside from all the diving equipment that was specially fabricated and installed in the four-door truck's interior, the Defender was also equipped with external lighting for nighttime work, as well as a special winch system for launching and recovering dinghies. All the modifications were performed by the Land Rover "Engineered to Order" team, which builds customized versions of all the vehicles offered by the company.

Halls is a longtime fan of the brand, having both owned Land Rovers and used them during his time in the Royal Marines.

Land Rover
The sliding bed can support 200 kilograms of equipment.

“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,” Halls said.

We have trouble imagining a more perfect platform for all that gear. When it comes to expedition vehicles, Defenders have always looked the part, and have also been able to get the job done. The fact that they look good while doing it is merely a nice bonus.

Land Rover
The interior of this Defender has been completely rebuilt for its mission.

By Jay Ramey