The British forces engaged in anti-immigration patrols and the confronting Jewish adversaries

It must be noted that not all RN ships detailed in Appendix I were engaged simultaneously in the Palestine Patrol,1 Britain’s long-running naval embargo operation against the Palestine coast. The Admiralty resented the drain on their resources and were never enthusiastic about helping to combat illegal immigration:

In the first place, I think we must write off as impossible any idea of invoking help from the Navy. They were reluctant enough to lend temporary assistance in 1939 during peace-time and in present conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean, I do not think we could possible approach the Admiralty for help in combating illegal immigration.2