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HSL 145 Wreck Mersea

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: Boats (In alphabetical order)
Forum Name: High Speed Launches
Forum Description: Discussion on High Speed Launches
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=1093
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 1:33pm


Topic: HSL 145 Wreck Mersea
Posted By: Gunnercook
Subject: HSL 145 Wreck Mersea
Date Posted: 09 December 2020 at 9:57am
Hi All, I was pleased to come across this forum as I have a question BMPT members are probably the best placed to help me answer.

Recently whilst visiting Mersea Island for a sailing trip, I saw the wreck of a HSL in the mud, adjacent to the lifeboat house in the West Mersea boat yard. I did some reading online and this forum and learned that this is HSL 145, a WW2 vet having rescued a large number of airman from certain death in the north sea. She's in a very poor state now, but her lines are unmistakable still.

My question is, is she the last of her kind - the very last Whaleback still clinging on to existence? Or are there more out there, hidden from view as houseboats or in storage?

Appreciate any info.


Replies:
Posted By: ASRsteve
Date Posted: 04 July 2021 at 8:39am
Hello. Good to see you noticed HSL145 "Nanolia" . As you can see she is in bad shape. Probably too far gone to save. I have just emerged from just failing to save a so called Air Sea Rescue whaleback on the South coast. We very nearly did but we're foiled by last minute red tape demands! The owner then chopped it up while I was on holiday and didn't even save the timbers as we had asked! We are looking for another one to save now. Might have found the right hull but not ASR on the Broads. I am hoping to see it soon. For for on saving these amazing boats, please join my FB group "whalebacks for ever!"

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My father (95 and counting) served the whole of WW2 in the RAF Air Sea Rescue service on HSLs on the North Sea and English Channel. Researching.


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