The answer given by the Coastguard is correct. These vessels operate along the coast to assist the recovery of aircraft/pilots that have got into difficulties off our coast and work closely with the RAF/RN search and rescue crews around the coast. They are crewed by merchant mariners under the Red ensign.

When I served in the Fire Service we trained along with the Sea King crews from Leconfield winching down on to these vessels, this prepared the local fire crews when we had to be winched on to a ship in difficulties, the Alpha America being a prime example.

Don MacLeod,
Ramsey Close,
Bridlington.

Linda replies: The deputy harbour master Bill Mason, also told me that it is an air crew training vessel, he thinks called Smit Yare. He said Smit took over from the old RAF craft and got the contract with the Ministry of Defence.

They have about 8-10 of these craft based around the country, all named after rivers.

The one that comes to Bridlington is based at Great Yarmouth, but the new ones have aluminium bases and can only get in the harbour during certain tides, so when it is in the area it is usually seen towards the Sewerby area. Mr Dudley Fry, a volunteer of Harbour Heritage Museum, also confirmed the Coastguards had given the correct explanation.

I forwarded this information on to David Hollingworth and he would like to thank Bill, Don and Dudley for passing on their knowledge of the vessel, which has satisfied a few years' curiosity. Many thanks to all three.

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