Drifting Dinghies Spark Immediate Launch for Largs RNLI Volunteers.
On the evening of Tuesday 29 June 2021 at 7.25 pm, Largs volunteer lifeboat crew launched in response to a request from UK Coastguard to attend to two small inflatable dinghies adrift within Millport Bay, Isle of Cumbrae.
As the lifeboat arrived on scene the casualties had already been picked up by a passing yacht, one adult and four children were provided with casualty life jackets and transferred to the lifeboat before being safely landed ashore at Millport.
Thereafter the Lifeboat, R A Wilson, returned to station at 8.45 pm where the boat was washed down, refuelled and made ready for continued service.
A spokesperson for Largs RNLI, said of yesterday’s incident:
‘This incident offers an important reminder of the dangers of using small inflatable dinghies and other inflatable toys at the sea side, such activity can be very dangerous. It is very easy for even a light wind to blow you off-shore, these boats can easily fill with water, and it is very easy to succumb to cold and hypothermia where the chances of survival grow slimmer minute by minute. The associated risk in all of these circumstances are magnified when not wearing a life jacket or buoyancy aid.’
‘In this case the casualties were very lucky and our thanks go to the observant yachtsman who initially came to their aid. Inflatable toys are not suitable for the sea and their use should be restricted to a garden paddling pool, and even then under constant supervision.’
Largs RNLI water safety team regularly carry out life jacket safety tests at which time the team are available to pass on any other water safety advice.
If you see some one, or find yourself in difficulty on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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.
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