A HISTORIC rescue boat stationed in Jersey during part of the Second World War returned to the Island yesterday afternoon.
The RFC113, a restored 1938 motor launch which helped evacuate thousands of Allied troops from St Malo, arrived in Jersey between 2pm and 3pm, as part of commemorations related to the Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ operation.
The vessel was built by The British Power Boats Company for John Storey, and then named after his former First World War squadron.
The boat was given to Admiralty during the War – where it was based in Jersey and crewed entirely by Jerseymen. First serving as a fast Air Sea Rescue Launch, it also played a vital role in Operation Aerial, assisting the evacuation of 21,500 people from St Malo in 1940.
She was the last boat to leave as German forces approached, and towed a vessel which had broken down back to the Island through rough seas.
The RFC1133 also supported the D-Day landings in 1944, and was returned to Mr Storey after the War.
The boat was bought in poor condition in 2012 by its current owner Jonathan Blair and was then restored using the original 1938 plans. This restoration won Motor Boat Restoration of the Year in 2021 from Classic Boat Magazine.
It is now listed on the National Historic Ship Registry and is a member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. Due to the boat’s role in the St Malo evacuation, the St Helier Yacht Club received a unique ‘defaced’ Red Ensign as a battle honour.
