Largs Lifeboat launched to assist drifting Rib with 6 persons on board.
Largs volunteer lifeboat crew were paged at approximately 8:15pm yesterday (Monday 13th April), to assist a rib with 6 people on board to the Southwest of Great Cumbrae Island.
On arrival at the boathouse the crew were advised that a rib had ran out of fuel and was drifting towards the shore.
Within minutes the volunteer crew had launched the stations relief Atlantic 85 Lifeboat ‘Susan Margaret Forsbrey’ and were making best speed to the location provided.
On arrival the crew found that the rib had drifted onto the shore, and the 6 people onboard were all ashore talking to members of Cumbrae Coastguard Rescue Team.
After discussions with the local Coastguard the crew were advised that one of the occupants relative was already on his way with another smaller boat to deal with the rib. With this it was agreed the best policy was for the Lifeboat crew to standby and monitor the recovery of the rib.
After a short time, the rib was freed and towed by the smaller vessel to a mooring in the bay where it would stay until the following day when the owner would deal with it.
Due to the size of the smaller vessel and with the last ferry having left Cumbrae it was agreed that the Lifeboat would take the 6 occupants onboard and transfer them back to Largs Yacht Haven at the same time as the smaller vessel was returning ensure all got back safe.
On arrival back at the Yacht Haven and with the 6 occupants and skipper of the other vessel back safe Largs Lifeboat was released from service and returned to station where the Lifeboat was refuelled, washed down, and made ready for the next service call.
In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency you should always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI media contacts
Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]
Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin McNamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,200 lives.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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