1957: The sea off Cyprus was searched for the crew of a Royal Navy “Gannet” aircraft, which ditched in the sea off Paphos while on anti-terrorist smuggling patrol.
The pilot, Lt–Cdr “Pincher -Martin”, and his crew of two were picked up by a merchantman, the Irma, of the Italian Line.
They were later transferred to a Royal Navy minesweeper, HMS Essington and taken to Limassol.
The plane was based on Nicosia.