During my recent visit to Malta, I was walking through the village of Marsaxlokk, which was the location of the RAF Malta Sailing Club and 1151 Marine Craft Unit until 1978.

Behind where the sailing clubhouse used to be (demolished in March 2012 and where a new building is being erected), I noticed a decaying RSL (range service launch).

I know that after the Royal Air Force departed, this launch was used in private ownership and I wondered if anyone could advise who now owns this boat and if they would be kind enough to contact me about it.

My interest is in finding a heritage and restoration group that would be willing to undertake a feasibility study to see whether it is possible to restore the launch as a monument, possibly in Marsaxlokk, to the services provided to the village, Malta and the surrounding Mediterranean area where many rescues were carried out over the decades the MCU was located there.

A plaque already exists in Upper Barrakka Gardens but this could be a very special monument in the village.

I can be contacted through my website http://raf-luqa.weebly.com/contact-us.html.

Photographs of the launch, as she was and as she is now, can be seen at the website in the 1151MCU Gallery page.

Thank you Malta for your wonderful hospitality during my recent visit. It reconfirmed why I have never lost my love for the country and its lovely people.

David Rose, Gloucester, UK

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