250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

I have found the following on a Bahamas historical site:

The RAF's No. 250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit was one of the units based in The Bahamas and they were equipped with amphibious aircraft and fast launches. They operated from bases at Fort Montagu, Lyford Cay and Harbour Island. Their function was to rescue the crews of aircraft which carne down in the sea and to co-operate with naval forces in the area.

Does anyone know whether this unit really had an aircraft/launch mix and, if so, what boats and aircraft were used?

Many thanks,

Sid.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Sid Guttridge Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 September 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sid Guttridge Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit? Posted: 05 July 2013 at 10:54am
	I have found the following on a Bahamas historical site: The RAF's No. 250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit was one of the units based in The Bahamas and they were equipped with amphibious aircraft and fast launches. They operated from bases at Fort Montagu, Lyford Cay and Harbour Island. Their function was to rescue the crews of aircraft which carne down in the sea and to co-operate with naval forces in the area. Does anyone know whether this unit really had an aircraft/launch mix and, if so, what boats and aircraft were used? Many thanks, Sid.

Christian Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 June 2005 Location: Gibraltar Status: Offline Points: 775	Post Options Post Reply Quote Christian Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 July 2013 at 4:10pm
	These were some of the vessels (all joined in April 1943 unless indicated otherwise); MTB (HSL) 339, a Canadian Power Boat Co 70ft ex MTB. P 63, 190 & 191, 42ft ex US Army Crash Boats design 221-D. (all at Nassau, P190 initially at Lyford Cay). P 89, 84ft ex US Army Rescue Boat (operated out of Harbour Is.) J 656, 22ft ex US Army design 326 shallow draught rescue boat (at Nassau). T 75 (joined 11.43) & 170 (joined 05.44) 65ft ex US Army utility tenders (at Nassau, T170 at Lyford Cay 07.44). R 422 16ft ex US Army dory (joined at Nassau 06.43, at Harbour Is. 10.43). HSL 2779 ex P 712 63ft ex US Army AVR (at Nassau 03.44). J 19695 50ft ex US Navy motor launch (at Nassau 05.44). Above is from RAF Marine Craft Directory.

Sid Guttridge Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 September 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sid Guttridge Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 July 2013 at 5:46pm
	Hi Christian, Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply. May I trouble you with a couple of other related questions? They are in regard of the navy rather than the RAF. 1) The Trinidad Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve operated two, later three, crash boats at Trinidad. Do you know what these boats were? They seem to have been attached to the RNAS observer training airfield at Piarco. 2) The RNAS also had a training airfield on Jamaica over 1941-43. Were any crash boats attached to that? Thanks again, Sid.