Nine inshore rescue boats are being fitted experimentally with very high frequency radio telephones. The boats selected are stationed at Bangor, Berwick- upon-Tweed, Bridlington, Eastney, Holyhead, The Mumbles, Southend-on- Sea, Torbay and Whitstable. This experimental installation will cost about £1,800 in all.

The sets to be installed are 3-channel pocket sized transistors manufactured by Storno Limited of Camberley, Surrey. They are completely transistorised and have crystals for working on the maritime very high frequency (frequency modulation) band. The stations selected will all be able to communicate with Coastguard stations which are equipped with the necessary transmitting and receiving facilities.

Communication is likely to be possible up to about 7 miles. The set is installed in a watertight metal container Future policy for equipping inshore rescue boats with radio telephone sets will be decided in the light of experience gained..