 In October 1940, yellow-painted Sea Rescue Floats were placed by the Germans in waters where air emergencies were likely.The highly visible buoy-type floats held emergency equipment including food, water, blankets and dry clothing, and they attracted distressed airmen from both sides of the war.Both German and British rescue units checked the floats from time to time, picking up any airmen they found, though enemy airmen were immediately made prisoner of war.