AIR-SEA RESCUE BOATS
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY
DURING WW2

The design for the Air Sea Rescue boats was based on an American anti-submarine boat which had been modified for rescue operations. They were mainly used to rescue crews from Allied aircraft which ditched in the sea. All Air Sea Rescue boats had a sick bay at the rear of the boat. They were mostly stationed in northern Australian waters or in New Guinea. 917 Air Mist was based at Newcastle in New South Wales.

The first four ASR boats arrived in Australia in late December 1943 for use by RAAF Marine Section as Air Boats. The four boats were initially delivered to RAAF Point Cook. A.W.A. were contracted to install AT5/AR8 Bendix Radio Compasses and 5043 VHF local A/C Coms. The Royal Australian Navy objected to these vessels being commanded by a RAAF Non Commissioned Officer, so the Navy Auxiliary Patrol was formed and the four Air Boats transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in June 1944 and they were commissioned as follows:-

HMAS Air Chief        12 Aug 1944
HMAS Air Master     31 Aug 1944
HMAS Air Mist         20 Sep 1944
HMAS Air Rest        20 Sep 1944

A further boat was transferred and commissioned as follows:-

HMAS Air View        20 Nov 1945

Typical Navy crew comprised:-

Lieutenant                In Charge
Sub Lieutenant
Chief Petty Officer     Coxswain
Chief Petty Officer     Engine Room Artificer
Leading Hand           Engine Room Artificer
Two Seamen
Warrant Officer         RAAF Signaller

Specifications for ASR Boats:-

Displacement      23 tons
Dimensions         OA Length 63 feet  Beam 15.3 feet
Draft                   4 feet
Engines              Two Hall Scott Defender 630 HP, V 12 Motors (petrol)
Speed                33.5 knots
Range                14.5 hours
Fuel                   1200 gallons.
                          20 knots 56 gal @ 1500 revs.
                          33 knots 110 gal @ 2100 revs.
Armament           Two 0.5 inch MGs ( 2 x 2)
Design                ARB  Aircraft Rescue Boats.

All ASR Boats were painted with a black hull on the sides with dark red below the water line and a white water line if needed. The decks, all superstructure sides and roof were painted yellow.

In 1946 a proposal was announced to transfer 15 ASR Boats to the RAAF at the stage 19 boats had been commissioned. 13 ASR Boats were finally transferred to the RAAF in about 1949. After WW2 the remaining RAN boats were redesignated as Search and Rescue vessels.

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"Australia @ War"

This page first produced 23 February 2008

This page last updated 24 February 2008