The volunteer RNLI crew at Largs Lifeboat station were initially paged shortly before 5pm, on Sunday 6 August 2023.
With the volunteer crew arriving at the station, they were advised that a yacht had contacted the UK Coastguard stating they were concerned for a 25 foot vessel possibly adrift between Horse Island near Ardrossan and Farland Head.
The volunteer crew at Largs swiftly launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat ‘R A Wilson’ and made best speed to the area. Keeping lookout for any vessel like the one thought to be in trouble.
After a thorough search of the area and on speaking to other nearby vessels the initial craft was not spotted.
With this information passed back to the UK Coastguard Largs lifeboat was released from service and started the passage back to its boathouse.
This call out was classed as a False Alarm with good intent.
Whilst the Lifeboat was travelling back to Largs, they were contacted by the UK Coastguard and asked to assist a broken-down vessel off Fairlie Quay.
As the Lifeboat approached the crew could see that another vessel had taken the casualty under tow. After talking to both vessels, they advised they were happy to continue as they were.
With this information relayed to the UK Coastguard the Lifeboat was once more released from service and continued back to station where it was refuelled, washed down, and made ready for the next service call.
Commenting on the evenings call outs Largs Volunteer Helm Michael Holcombe stated: The first call out although a false alarm was the correct thing to do by any person thinking a vessel is in trouble. It could have been a broken-down vessel that had no means of communication to get assistance. Thankfully, this time this was not the case.
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Martin McNamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929,
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RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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 over 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 142,200 lives.
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, Twitter 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.