Largs lifeboat responds, in atrocious weather, to a yachtsman with chest pains
On the afternoon of Monday 22/10/2018 Largs volunteer lifeboat crew launched to the aid of a yachtsman who had fallen ill with chest pains.
RNLI Lifeboats from Arran, Tighnabruaich and Troon along with Rothesay Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked as was Coastguard helicopter 199.
Rescue 199 was first on scene and located the casualty vessel 1 mile South of Inchmarnock West of Bute soon to be followed by Largs lifeboat who put 2 crew members on board the yacht to carry out casualty care.
after initial assessment and treatment it was deemed necessary to transfer the casualty to further care as soon as possible.
Due to the prevailing conditions a winch to the helicopter was considered too dangerous, for this reason the casualty was transferred to the lifeboat before being taken ashore to a nearby beach where the helicopter had already landed.
The lifeboat was beached to enable a quick transfer of the casualty to the care of the helicopter crew assisted by Rothesay Coastguard Rescue Team.
With the assistance of Arran lifeboat, Largs lifeboat was re-floated and returned to the casualty vessel who were experiencing engine troubles.
The casualty vessel with her remaining 3 crew members was taken in tow towards Tighnabruaich, during the passage the tow was handed over to the Tighnabruaich lifeboat thus setting Largs lifeboat free to return to station.
The service call was carried out over a three and a half hour period and was an excellent example of all search and rescue units working together, doing what they train to do.
Everyone involved wishes the casualty well.
Key facts about the RNLI
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 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 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.