Girvan Lifeboat launched to yacht in distress

At 01:56 Wednesday 2nd April, Girvan lifeboat's crew pagers were activated for the 1st callout of 2025, to a 48ft sailing vessel in distress, the casualty vessel had lost power near Lendalfoot and was dangerously close to shore with 3 persons on board.

Girvan's Shannon Class all-weather lifeboat 'Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan' was soon making best speed South to the location of the casualty vessel, once on scene with squally and lumpy conditions, the best course of action after ensuring everyone aboard the yacht was fine and in good health was to bring the vessel under tow to remove it from it's current dangerous position.

With the yacht having no power, the yachts crew cut away the anchor that was put down earlier to prevent further drifting and the lifeboat crew established the tow, making good progress back to Girvan the lifeboat and the casualty vessel were entering the harbour at 03:50

Girvan and Ballantrae Coastguard Rescue Teams along with Shore crew from Girvan Lifeboat were on hand to help berth the casualty vessel safely in Girvan Harbour and the lifeboat returned to it's berth at 04:00 and made ready for the next service call.

Girvan Lifeboat Coxwain Callum Govus said of the incident, "conditions on scene were quite squally, in this case the crew of the yacht once they had discovered there was a problem did all the right things, ensured they were wearing the correct safety equipment, dropped their anchor to hold position and called for help"

If you are heading to sea for any reason, ensure like in this case you have the correct safety equipment, always wear lifejackets and have appropriate means of calling or signalling for help, this could be VHF radio, mobile phones, distress flares or personal locator beacons, you never know when a situation may arise and it's always best to be prepared.

Remember if you see or believe someone to be in trouble at sea or along our coast, dial 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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