Dates: 1916 - 1986

RAF Marine Craft Section originated in the Great War in Apr 1916, 11 days after the creation of the RAF as a whole. Small craft and personnel were transfered in from the RNAS. During the 1920s the Section’s flying boats were being used to establish air routes across the British Empire. It was formed into a Branch in 1948, operated the largest air-sea rescue service in the world, and survived to 1986.

The RAF Marine Branch operated the RAF Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) cover in small fast launches (HSL). During World War II RAF Marine Craft high-speed rescue launches were used extensively in the Air Sea Rescue role, saving over 13 000 aircrew and other personnel.

In 1948 the Marine Craft became a full branch of the RAF and was disbanded in 1986.

Memories of RAF Marine Craft

RAF Marine Craft, in 1954
Written by Arthur Connell
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"Whilst serving at RAF ZEROS a marine craft base IN Cyprus which was a detachment from RAF Nicosia we had to take our boats to Famagusta to have them slipped out of the water for servicing on one occasion we had a vessel returning to Zeros which sprung a bad leak and could not be handled with the bilge pumps permission was given to beach the vessel in the late afternoon and a crew remainrd aboard to safeguard it that night however by morning the vessel had moved on the pebblbeach and completely broken up to matchwood"

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving RAF Marine Craft

" I’ve posted something on these lines before but is seems appropriate as RAF Marine Branch was disbanded 20 years ago. So if any of of you are interested a little bit of  RAF history. I’m often asked why did the RAF have boats. Here’s why. 68 YEARS OF RAF MARINE CRAFT ..."

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" i am looking for a friend of my mom and  he won sword of merit in the early sixtys and later went on to join raf marine craft sorry i dont know his name but mom will know it when she hears it please helprosemarie "

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" Quoting: Marie Drew The sinking of the Costa Concordia is an appalling tragedy.  I believe according to the latest information that three are confirmed dead and fifty are still missing.   For nearly twenty years  I have cruised most years sampling a variety of cruise lines and ships. ..."

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" On another thread Roger wanted the RNZAF to loan/give us a Sunderland, the attached photo is the last time a RAF marine craft towed a Sunderland, it was at Singapore, the Sunderland was from The RNZAF, it was taken according to the coxswain in 1961 or 1962. The RAF retired the Sunderlands in ..."

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