Emergency search from Portencross to Largs for jet-skier

The Largs RNLI lifeboat was launched after a member of the public approached the crew at its lifeboat station to say her boyfriend was late returning to shore after a planned trip up the coast from Portencross.

Coastguard helicopter asked to join the search (Image: Newsquest)

The woman said her partner had planned to meet her and her friends at the slipway next to the lifeboat station by 6pm on June 15 - but 20 minutes after that deadline, and with the crew already on station for a planned training session, the lifeboat's volunteers sprang into action.

After getting a description, the lifeboat operations manager started to search the sea to the south with binoculars.

With nothing in view, the operations manager told the crew to call the coastguard and alert them to the situation.

The lifeboat's helm advised that he planned to search to the south, towards Portencross, before returning, covering both sides of the channel in case the jet ski had broken down and was drifting.

The Largs and Ardrossan coastguard rescue teams were asked to carry out shoreline searches, and the local coastguard rescue helicopter, also out on a training exercise, was asked to join in the search.

The Largs coastguard team soon advised that they had spotted a jetski aground on Brigurd Spit, near Hunterston, and were approaching to find out if it was the overdue man, while the Largs lifeboat also approached to see if it could offer assistance.

On talking to the man - who was indeed the overdue jetskier - it was found that a rope had been pulled into the drive system of the jet ski and had caused some damage.

The lifeboat took the jetski and its owner under tow to Largs and passed them over to the owner's friends, who were waiting to recover the craft.

The lifeboat crew was then released for further service.

John Griffiths, the Largs lifeboat operations manager, said: "This callout shows you should be prepared for all circumstances and should always have a means of communication with either the coastguard or family and friends.

"This jet skier was lucky he made it to shore as it was also found they were not wearing an appropriate buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

"It is advisable to always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid when partaking in water sports."