
Lifeboat called to rescue paddleboarder in distress
Girvan Lifeboat races to respond to 999 call
At 13:18 on Friday 2nd February Girvan Lifeboat was requested for an immediate launch, this was in response to 999 calls received by the Coastguard of a Paddleboarder in difficulty and shouting for help near the village of Maidens.
The information received was the paddleboarder had fallen from the board, was in the water and was struggling to make headway back to shore with the offshore easterly wind making this difficult.
Girvan Lifeboat's volunteer crew were soon aboard the Shannon Class all-weather Lifeboat and making best speed North towards the village of Maidens.
Once on scene the casualty had just managed to scramble ashore and was in the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service and Coastguard Rescue Teams, also in attendance were Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue from Girvan and Maybole.
The lifeboat once it was ascertained there was no one else in the water, berthed in Maidens Harbour and liaised with the other emergency services, with the casualty now being attended to and no other person in danger, Girvan lifeboat returned to station and was made ready for the next service call.
Whilst exercise is permitted during these challenging times, we remind people to check the conditions are suitable for what they are doing and not to possibly put themselves and others at risk by participating in an activity that could be deemed as non essential exercise.
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