Two divers were forced to take refuge on Wee Cumbrae overnight after their rib boat drifted off while they were under water.

With no communication means available, the pair had no choice but to head to the unoccupied island, and wait for assistance.

The matter was only drawn to the attention of the Largs RNLI after a member of the public raised the alarm a day later.

The episode resulted in a reminder to divers that they must always have a manned boat assisting when in the sea at all times.

Dave Hewitt Snr of Largs Lifeboat said: "Largs lifeboat launched at 10.43am on Monday to a report from a member of the public concerned about two persons thought to be on a raft waving for assistance at the North East end of Wee Cumbrae.

"The RNLI lifeboat located both people who were in fact onshore, and transferred them to the lifeboat.

"Information from these persons indicated that they had been diving around 11am on Sunday but when they surfaced their RIB had drifted off in the strong easterly wind."

The pair managed to regain the shore but unfortunately their communication means was on their RIB.

The divers managed to gain access to an outbuilding on Wee Cumbrae to provide some shelter until the following morning when fortunately they were spotted.

The divers were then transferred by the lifeboat to Largs Yacht Haven and landed whilst the lifeboat returned to the area and commenced a search for the RIB.

The rigid inflatable boat was eventually located on the west side of Great Cumbrae, and was reunited with its owners at Largs Yacht Haven.

Dave Hewitt said: "We would recommend a policy of always having a dive boat manned whilst divers are in the water, thus preventing a re-occurrence of this type of incident."

The divers were in their early fifties and came from England. They did not advise anyone of their intentions thus no one new they were overdue, and therefore no search out was carried when they failed to return.

The lifeboat had a further call on Monday at 6.25pm when a yacht requested assistance, via the 999,system due to engine failure off Lunderston Bay off Gourock.

They located the yacht, put a crew member onboard and took vessel in tow to Inverkip Marina.