Largs RNLI volunteers respond to shouts for help

Shortly before 2:30pm yesterday (Monday 11 August 2026) HM Coastguard requested the immediate launch of Largs lifeboat in response to a 999 call made by a member of the public.

It was reported during the 999 call to HM Coastguard that a person was in the water, hanging onto the back of a yacht and calling for help in Newton Bay.

The volunteer lifeboat crew were paged and the lifeboat launched, making best speed to the given location.

As the lifeboat arrived in the area the person was already being assisted back onto his yacht by other water users, who had come to his aid on a tender.

The volunteer crew onboard the lifeboat spoke with the person who had been in the water and enquired if they were in need of any further assistance. They informed the lifeboat crew that they were now ok.

Following consultation and communication with HM Coastguard, Largs lifeboat was stood down and returned to the lifeboat station where it was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service.

Largs Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Griffiths said: ‘We would like to thank the member of the public who dialled 999 and called the Coastguard. This is exactly what you should do if you get into difficulty at sea or along the coast, or spot someone else in trouble.

‘Even for the most experienced sailor the sea can be unpredictable, that’s why we advise people to respect the water and always wear a lifejacket and carry a means for calling for help.’

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Claire McRae, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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