First shout in command for new volunteer helm at Largs Lifeboat Station
Largs lifeboat was afloat on passage to Largs Lifeboat Station when requested to investigate a vessel thought to be in trouble off Wemyss Bay.
At 2.40pm on Saturday (27 June), the volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat received at VHF radio message from UK coastguard advising that a member of the public had reported a vessel which they believed to be in trouble off Wemyss Bay and the coastguard were unable to contact this vessel.
The lifeboat, with recently promoted Helm David Linton in command of his first shout, immediately proceeded to the reported position. On arrival they found a dive boat with a diver just returned to the vessel and two other occupants who advised that they were in no danger but merely had been diving for scallops.
The lifeboat then returned to Station was refuelled and made ready for its next service call whilst the crew undertook the cleaning and decontamination of gear as per the new COVID19 way of working. The lifeboat was rehoused at 4.40pm.
This service was classified as a false alarm with good intent but the RNLI would advise that all vessels carry a method by which they be contacted usually this would be a marine VHF radio.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Alasdair Woods, Largs RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07860 632524 or Dave Hewitt Snr, Largs RNLI volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer on 07552 064621.
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.