Three people were on board a cabin cruiser which ran aground close to rocks in shallow water.
Largs Lifeboat were sent by Clyde Coastguard to carry out a rescue operation for the 28 foot cabin cruiser at 2.10pm on Saturday.
The boat had left Kip Marina earlier in the day and suffered engine failure at Kames Bay on the Isle of Bute.
On arrival, the vessel was found to be in shallow water and it would not be possible to re-float her until the next high tide.
The crew on board did make use of an anchor but it did not hold, and they were assisted ashore by the Coastguard Rescue Team on Bute.
The lifeboat returned to Largs, but was called out again at 5.40pm to assist the same vessel.
As the vessel was beginning to float, it was being pushed against the rocks, leading to the skipper to dial 999 for the coastguard.
Following a careful assessment of the situation the RNLI helm decided the safest option was to tow the casualty clear of the rocks and on to the nearest safe haven, Port Bannatyne.
On completion the lifeboat returned to station at 8pm.where the boat and the crew underwent extensive de-contamination procedures.
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