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In the biggest air-sea rescue operation of its kind ever mounted off the coast of Britain, aircraft and ships of the Royal Navy playeda major and dramatic role in ensuring that the death and injury toll in this year's tragic Fastnet Race was not greater. Royal Navy Sea King. Wessex and Lynx Mid. Peter Harrison, flying in a Sea King helicopters operating from R.N. air station helicopter of 819 Squadron out of PrestCuidrose were in the forefront of the operwick in Scotland, prepares to double-lift ation, in which R.N. surface ships also played the last crew member of the Gri an important part Skill, endurance and precision were called for as the helicopters, operating in violent winds, returned
again and again to pluck men from stricken yachts
yacht malkin, badly hit during the Fastnet fury. More pictures appear in Page 19.
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Ships involved included the new Type 22 frigate and from the sea itself. H.M Broadsword, which acted as "on-the-spot In three days the helicopters clocked up about co-ordinator. using her ultra-modern sophisticated 200 flying hours, lifting 75 people from yachts or the Dutch mountainous seas. Of these, 73 were rescued from equipment; destroyer bverijssel. 18 yachts on the day the storm struck. And of the 75 guarĂ ship for the race (and which was later relieved survivors taken to Culdrose, only two died, by H.M.S. Scylla); H.M.S. Anglesey, on fishery protection duties, and which joined in the operation and brought survivors into port; R.F.A. Olna; and 10,000 SQUARE MILES the R.M.A.S. tugs Robust and Rollicker. Co-ordination of the whole operation was carried Mt liv Cud rose rs Iii ne I were on lease "hen out from the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at the big operation, with a main search area of some Maritime Headquarters. Mount Wise, Plymouth. 10.000 square miles, got under way, and the call where a master plot of the located yachts and rescue went out asking those available to return. work was maintained. Hundreds became involved as the operation built R.A.F. Nimrods from St Mawgan. Cornwall, also up, including aircrew, maintainers. Operations and Air Traffic Control staff, medical staff, fire and played an important part. In all. 140 yachtsmen were rescued by various ambulance crews, telephonists and teleprinter means after a screaming storm of force ten struck. operators. WRNS and civilians were among those involved. bringing horror and a pattern of death and damage. Of 306 yachts which set out, only 177 completed Culdrose-based aircraft taking part included five the course, 22 were sunk or abandoned and many Sea Kings of 706 Squadron and four Wessex of 771. which were damaged headed into ports in Britain There was also a Sea King of 819 Squadron at and Ireland Prestwick, and two Lynx from RN. air station Continued in Page 19. Veovilton.
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Warning given
over poll
Newcastle's a star of the show
has oitL' out to Royal Navy men that, if they A s arnii1 answer questions on defence policy, which opinion pollsters are to put to Service personnel, they could be running .ittcrnptin the risk ot contravening naval regulations.
The fear is that the nature of the questions may lead personnel into what is described as "politically controversial" areas, including policy on defence expenditure, membership of trade unions and use of Servicemen to maintain essential services affected by industrial disputes. It is understood that the matter Came to light when pollsters, operating for a well-known agency And producing an opinion for new magazine, approached ,mn Army family. Later it was learnt that approaches had also been made to Navy and R.M. ,trnilies. The Navy has noi said that the ules forbid the answering of
poll
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opinion poll questions, but points out the possibility of contravening QR(RN). MOD is asking the agency to reconsider, taking the view that the poll could place Servicemen in a difficult position over the rules which 1a behind the tradition of political neutrality by the Forces. Meanwhile, the Navy has said that no facilities arc to be provided for the and that pollsters approaches should be reported. "The safest course is politely to refuse all co-operation, is the advice. It is believed the poll also involves asking Service wives to answer the questionnaire.