The Type Two HSL was a 63 ft high-speed launch craft made by British Power Boat Company (BPBC).

The craft were used during the Second World War for air-sea rescue operations to save Allied aircrew from the sea.

Rescue of downed aircrew was coordinated using RAF aircraft, aircraft operated by Coastal Command and the Royal Navy and rescue launches operated by the RAF Marine Branch and the Royal Navy.

The vast majority of the Type Two craft belonging to the Admiralty were subsequently stored and later sold off as houseboats.

Extra armament was fitted – paired .303 in machine guns mounted either side of the wheel-house and a single 20 mm Oerlikon on the (strengthened) rear deck.