Largs RNLI volunteers rescue paddleboarders

HM Coastguard paged the volunteer crew at Largs RNLI shortly after 8:30pm on Monday 13 July 2026 to assist two paddleboarders who were struggling to get back to shore.

The volunteer crew left their families, friends and plans for the night, quickly launching the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat R.A.Wilson with four volunteer crew onboard into the evening sunshine. Once afloat, the volunteer crew quickly found themselves to battling against strong offshore winds.

The location of the two casualty paddleboarders was given by HM Coastguard as being just off Fairlie Beach, however when the lifeboat arrived on scene the casualties were no where to be found.

Thanks to continued communications on scene between the lifeboat crew, the local Coastguard Rescue Team and the casualty themselves, who had a mobile phone in a waterproof case, it was established they had been swept across the Largs channel and were now near the Cumbrae shore, just south of Balochmartin Bay.

Once the updated location was established, the volunteers onboard the lifeboat were able to quickly locate and bring the two paddleboarders safely onto the lifeboat where they were found to be safe and well, if a little shaken by their experience.

The lifeboat took the casualties to Largs Yacht Haven and handed them over into the care of the local Coastguard Rescue Team.

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

Largs lifeboat volunteer Helm, Gordon Kennedy, said: ‘'Offshore winds can be very dangerous. They can quickly blow people on inflatables, kayaks and small boats out to sea.

‘It is important to check the weather forecast and tide times before heading out on the water. You should also always carry a way to call for help in an emergency. A mobile phone in a waterproof pouch is ideal.

‘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.’

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]

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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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