
RNLI Largs Volunteers launch to assist paddleboarders and possible boat sinking
Largs RNLI crew were requested to launch at 1:28pm on Saturday 21st September to assist with a paddleboarder and kayaker possibly in difficulty between Hunterston and Wee Cumbrae Island.
The volunteer crew at Largs launched their Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat ‘R A Wilson’ and made best speed towards the area, whilst enroute the Lifeboat was stood down as the people involved had managed to make it safely ashore.
With this information the crew returned to station thinking they would be able to recover the Lifeboat and continue with their Saturday.
However, whilst they were approaching the slipway the Helm noticed 2 more paddleboarders who were fishing just off the Lifeboat Station, due to the strong offshore winds the Lifeboat Helm decided to go out and have a discussion with them.
After a short discussion the paddleboarders decided that due to the worsening conditions that they would take the offer of assistance and were taken closer to shore where they could walk their paddleboards back up the beach.
With the 2 people now safe the crew again got ready to recover the Lifeboat.
Whilst the boat was being recovered the Station Launch Authorities were contacted requesting the Lifeboat be retasked this time to a small, moored vessel in the vicinity of Ascog Bay Ilse of Bute which looked like it as taking on water and sinking.
The crew launched and once on scene found that the yacht was sitting low in the water but there was no sign of anyone on board and all hatches were indeed secure. With this information passed to UK Coastguard the crew were released from service and allowed to return to the station where the boat was recovered refuelled, washed down and made ready for the next service call.
Largs Lifeboat Helm, Dave Hewitt said: ‘Today shows how quickly people can get into difficulty, the weather was nice and warm, but the wind was a strong offshore wind, this made the sea look very calm.
For paddleboards we would always ask they only launch in wind speeds they are able to get back ashore and always carry a means of alerting people that they need assistance.
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Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
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RNLI at 200
On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.
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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