Cromarty Archive

The 'Met' Boat

The 'Met' Boat

Date Added: 25 May 2009 Contributor: Arthur Bird Year: 1962 Picture No: 2382

This, and its sister vessel, used to go in and out of the firth regularly back in the 60s, 70s and early 80s. Anyone know when this stopped, or what happened to the vessels? Photo taken March 1962.

Albums: The Sea

3 Comments

Air Sea Rescue launches I think would have been replaced when helicopters took over. They had two/three Rolls Merlin engines (ex Spitfire) I believe - petrol - with fuel pipes bigger than your cold tap at the kitchen sink!! Wouldn't go down well today. They were taken out every 6 months and sent south for servicing whether used or not! Speeds of 40 knots possible. Comment left on 25 May 2009 at 19:59 by Dennis Manson
RAF Boat 2770 was a Vosper 68ft Rescue & Target Towing Launch Mk. II, powered by twin Rolls Royce 36.7 litre Sea Griffon Mk.101 engines supercharged to 2,420 hp each.

It belonged to the Royal Air Force Marine Branch which was disbanded on 8 January 1986, the boats retired and handed over to civilian contractors for the target towing role.

I have no information on boat 2770's subsequent fate.

A sister boat, number 2757 may be seen at the RAF Museum in London.
Comment left on 31 December 2023 at 15:07 by Donald Payne
These vessels were part of the RAF Marine Craft Unit (MCU) whose primary role was Search & Rescue (SAR). We used to love watching them cruise in and out of the firth and when they were at full speed it was mightily impressive. I joined the RAF in 1980 and, bizarrely, my first OC was an ex-MCU operator. He clocked that I was from Cromarty and we used to chat about the MCU which turned out to be really helpful because every time I got into trouble he let me off! Comment left on 15 October 2024 at 18:25 by Will Nicolson
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