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Saturday shout at Largs RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

Largs RNLI volunteers launch to assist vessel in difficulties near Skelmorlie.

Largs lifeboat returning from shout

RNLI/Claire McRae

Largs lifeboat returning from shout

The pagers of the volunteer crew at Largs RNLI sounded just before midday on Saturday 19 August.

HM Coastguard had requested the launch of Largs lifeboat in response to reports of a rigid hulled inflatable boat in potential difficulty near to Skelmorlie. HM Coastguard had attempted to make contact with the casualty vessel without any success.

The volunteer crew at Largs lifeboat launched and made best speed to the reported location of the vessel. Arriving on scene, the volunteer crew established the casualty vessel was en route to Milllport on the island of Cumbrae and wished to continue without assistance.

However, due to the poor weather conditions Largs lifeboat remained with the casualty vessel as far as Largs Yacht Haven, at which point the decision was made for the casualty vessel to enter the Yacht Haven where the vessel was met by local Coastguard Rescue Teams.

Largs lifeboat then returned to the lifeboat station where it was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service.

Key safety measures the RNLI advise personal watercraft users to consider every time they go out on the water include:

  • Wearing a buoyancy aid that provides extra floatation in the water should you fall in.
  • Staying with your watercraft in an emergency - it can help you to keep afloat and make you easier to locate.
  • Wearing suitable clothing for the forecasted conditions such as a wetsuit.
  • Carrying a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch to use in an emergency to raise the alarm. Make sure to carry this on you somewhere accessible, for example around your neck.
  • To always check your equipment beforehand, make sure the drainage plug is in place and always wear a kill cord if fitted and carry a spare.

Largs lifeboat volunteer helm, Andrew Malone said: ‘There are always additional safety steps watercraft users can take in order to stay safe such as taking lessons to develop skill, being aware of the environment and hazards, going with someone instead of alone, checking the weather forecast and tide times before setting out and by telling someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

‘If you get into difficulty at sea or along the coast, or spot someone else in trouble, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’


Notes to editors

RNLI media contacts

Claire McRae, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07738681546, [email protected]

Brian Rankin, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810862468, [email protected]

Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

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.

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