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Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (R. N. X. S.)History The R.N.X.S. Was a uniformed, civilian, volunteer service, administered and trained by the Royal Navy to operate in the ports and anchorages of the UK in an Emergency.
It began in January 1952 as the Royal Minewatching Service with the duty of spotting, reporting and plotting the positions of mines laid by enemy aircraft.
In 1963 it assumed new responsibilities for providing the staff to support the Naval Officers in charge of Port Headquarters and would be set up in Emergency. In November of that year the royal warrant was granted changing its name to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, to reflect more accurately its new functions.
Some 90% of the import and exports upon which NATO nations in general and Great Britain in particular, depend for survival are carried on ships. The protection of this shipping is one of the Royal Navys major tasks, and the RNXS played a non-combatant but important role in support of its parent Navy by manning Port headquarters in major ports and anchorages in the United Kingdom.
The Service also provided craft and crews to support the Navy in these ports and anchorages. These craft ranged from ex Inshore Minesweepers, Fleet Tenders to fast river Patrol Boats, permanently on loan to the service. The craft were normally based on Naval Dockyards for the necessary maintenance and technical support; but were manned entirely by the RNXS. These craft were at sea most weekends for training; taking part in National and NATO exercises and training cruises. The craft took part in fleet reviews; and have been used in the clearance of oil pollution; search and rescue and many other tasks.
Central Scotland Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Association (R. N. X. S. A. ) At midnight 31st march 1994 the RNXS was disbanded, this was the Government of the days decision as part of the cut backs to save money. On the 1st April 1994 the Central Scotland Royal Naval Auxiliary Association was formed
Five Branches of the RNXS in central Scotland banded together to form the organisation known today as the:-
Central Scotland Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Association RNXSA for short. These branches operate independently and have their own branch constitutions but come under the umbrella of the CSRNXSA constitution. Since the formation of the organization it has become a recognized charity in its own right, the Association is also recognized by the Royal Yachting Associations as a training establishment for conducting shore based courses on SRC (GMDSS), Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Diesel engine and First Aid courses.
The RNXSA is a self-supporting organisation, and unfortunately does not have any ties with its former parent. The organisations purpose is to continue to train its members, and like-minded people in maritime skills, both in practice and theory, and help local communities where possible
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