Yacht search

The ongoing search for the yacht Rafiki shows all too clearly the weakness of the maritime surveillance of the UK. We do not have the capability to mount any search and rescue operation since the demise of the Nimrod aircraft which was scrapped several years ago.

We are now pleading with the US Coast Guard to make one last effort to find the crew of the Rafiki and, in spite of their reluctance, they have agreed to do something that we could have undertaken ourselves until the scrapping of our only long-range aircraft.

An island country such as ours we should be ashamed at our inadequacy to conduct such a mission.

All credit to the US.

David W Fenwick

West Mill Street

Perth