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250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit?

Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Coastal Forces
Forum Description: Discussion about Coastal Forces
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=922
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 4:17pm


Topic: 250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit?
Posted By: Sid Guttridge
Subject: 250 Air-Sea Rescue Unit?
Date 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.


Replies:
Posted By: Christian
Date 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.

Posted By: Sid Guttridge
Date 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.


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