Scott-Paine of BPB fame moved to Canada and started up the Canadian Power Boat Co. From the boatyard at Montreal, craft were supplied to the RCN and the RCAF using the same BPB hull designs. A batch of 12 70ft boats were built for the Admiralty, originally destined for the RCN having been built with a twin engine set-up. On completion the craft, numbered 332-343, were handed over to the RCNVR for training purposes on Lake Champlain, however they were soon thereafter transferred to the RN for use as patrol craft in the West Indies. During this period 338 became a total loss after hitting a reef, and 339 was transferred to the RAF in April 1943 for further service at 250 ASRU at Nassau. The remainder were returned to the USA for overhaul and repair.
After refurbishment the 10 craft were shipped to India, where all were transferred to and taken on charge by the RAF at Bombay. HSL 333 was the first to arrive on the 24th November 1943, followed by HSLs 336 & 337 on the 22nd December and HSL 332 on the 3rd May 1944. From Bombay the craft were split up to form various Air Sea Rescue Units (ASRU's) based at Calcutta (229), Cochin (232), Karachi (234) and Bombay (233). In September 1944, HSLs 340, 333 & 342 left for 232 ASRU at Cochin, however HSL 342 hit a paravane whilst on trials and consequently all three craft did not arrive at Cochin until the 5th April 1945. Three craft were delivered to 231 ASRU at Karachi and three further craft relieved 68ft BPB HSLs at 233 ASRU at Trombay.
According to RAF crews, the 70ft CPB HSLs behaved well in bad weather and were buoyant in a head sea. They had a beautiful "whaleback" sheerline and were powered by Packards which were supercharged and glycol cooled.
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