How rare is Carimuda?

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Carimuda is the sole known survivor of the 60-ft Special Duties Pinnace Mk I—a variant of the 60-ft Pinnace of which only 19 were built.

 

No other SD Pinnace Mk I appears in the National Historic Ships UK register, museum holdings, private registries, or RAF/MoD historical records.

However, she belongs to a much larger family. The 60-ft Pinnace hull was produced in significant numbers during the Second World War—approximately 235 for the RAF and 75 for the Royal Navy. Of this broader family, at least 25 hulls are known to survive.

When we look at the wider picture of RAF rescue craft, pinnaces, and related wartime high-speed launches, over 50 such vessels survive worldwide.

 

Notable examples include:

• Carimuda – 60-ft Special Duties Pinnace Mk I – the only one left 

• HSL 102 – the sole surviving 64-ft British Power Boat high-speed rescue launch

• One restorable 63-ft “whaleback” HSL hull – believed to one of the last of its type

• MISTRA – surviving RAF Air-Sea Rescue pinnace

• ASRP 1218 – RAF Air-Sea Rescue pinnace

• Pinnace 1374 – preserved 63-ft pinnace in the RAF Museum​

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Summary:

Carimuda is the last of her specific variant—the only remaining SD Pinnace Mk I from the 19 built. Within the wider 60-ft Pinnace family, she is one of approximately 25 survivors.

Her significance as the sole example of her type is why National Historic Ships UK has identified her as a strong candidate for elevation to the National Historic Fleet—a status reserved for the nation's most historically important vessels.

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Information provided and verified by respected Boat Historian Philip Simons.

Philip has tracked the Carimuda over several decades and has also collated the full history of the chain of owners of Carimuda since she left service of the RAF.

This can be provided to any serious prospective new custodian.