Sunshine brings a busy Saturday for Largs RNLI volunteers

The volunteer crew travelled from across Largs and assembled at the lifeboat station where they proceeded to launch inshore lifeboat R.A.Wilson on a beautiful sunny evening.

As the crew were launching the lifeboat they received a priority message from HM Coastguard who requested the lifeboat immediately divert to assist a small dinghy off the pencil at Largs which had engine failure.

The volunteers onboard the lifeboat quickly changed their planned route and made best speed to the new location provided.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene, the helm of the lifeboat spoke with the person onboard the dinghy and established both outboard engines on the vessel had failed. A dynamic risk assessment was conducted where it was decided for the safety of the person on board, the vessel would be towed to Cairneys Quay.

Once the casualty vessel and its crew, were safely ashore at Cairneys Quay, a message was received from HM Coastguard requesting Largs lifeboat now proceed to the location given by the original casualty vessel, which was still in need of assistance.

After some initial confusion regarding the casualty vessel’s location they were located near to Hunterston Sands.

On arrival the volunteer crew onboard Largs lifeboat spoke with the two people on board the casualty vessel and were able to establish they were having issues with a fouled propeller.

After discussions with HM Coastguard and the completion of a risk assessment, it was decided the best course of action would be to tow the vessel to the nearest safe port at Largs Yacht Haven.

After the casualty vessel was safely alongside in Largs Yacht Haven and with no further assistance required, Largs lifeboat then returned to the lifeboat station where it was cleaned, refuelled and made ready for service.

Largs lifeboat volunteer Helm, Andrew Malone, said: ‘Today’s Callout’s show the importance of carrying a means to contact shore and request assistance. The sailors today were experienced and had the required safety equipment, but things can still go awry out on the water.

‘Being able to give an exact location is really important if you need assistance from the RNLI or other emergency services. We are able to enter the coordinates given by a casualty vessel into our onboard navigation system and plot a route directly to that location.

‘If you get into difficulty at sea or along the coast, or spot someone else in trouble, please do not contact the lifeboat station directly, you should always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.