Largs lifeboat tows 43Ft. yacht to safety in difficult conditions.
While on a routine exercise Largs lifeboat crew were tasked to the assistance of a 43ft. yacht with one person on board.
The lone sailor seemed unsure of his position making it difficult for the lifeboat crew to locate him, in an effort to find him UK Coastguard asked him to set off 2 flares, fortunately the second one was spotted by the lifeboat crew.
As it reached the location West of the South End of Little Cumbrae Island the lifeboat was soon alongside whereupon a crew member boarded the yacht to render assistance.
Weather conditions at the time were not favourable, wind speeds of 6 to 7 gusting to 8 knots were being experienced, a decision was made to undertake a tow, a line was secured and in difficult conditions the yacht with its lone sailor was towed into Largs yacht haven where it was secured and made safe.
During the evening exercise a young lady probationer crew member Emily Santos was on board the lifeboat, unexpectedly this exercise turned out to be her first ever real shout, congratulations Emily well done.
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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, in a normal year, 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 142,700 lives.
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