it was well situated in a pleasant part of the country , well protected from the elements and so it usually had three or four patrol craft of varying sizes in residence , with the occasional visit from a passing frigate or destroyer , but unfortunately , as a cost cutting measure , the spanish armada ( navy ) reluctantly abandoned its favourite mini base in the sun , leaving the air force with a fair to middling harbour for their air/sea rescue launch , and a few recreational dinghies .