Lifeboat capsizes during emergency rescue on the Firth of Clyde

Four volunteers had to be pulled from the water.

Posted in

North Ayrshire

An RNLI lifeboat has capsized during an emergency rescue on the Firth of Clyde, leaving four volunteers in the water.

The Largs RNLI lifeboat was called to help a sinking fishing vessel off the west coast of Scotland on Wednesday morning.

During the incident, the lifeboat, known as the R A Wilson, capsized with four volunteer crew onboard.

The volunteers were able to right the lifeboat and get back onboard. Another RNLI team escorted them back to Largs Lifeboat Station.

The four RNLI volunteers were checked by paramedics and were uninjured.

Two people on the fishing vessel were winched aboard the rescue helicopter and taken ashore for medical assessment.

The fishing vessel subsequently sank.

Jill Hepburn, the RNLI’s head of region, said: “We are relieved that our volunteer crew were uninjured.

“They were able to follow their training and re-right the lifeboat and bring it back to Largs. We are currently carrying out an investigation in conjunction with the MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) into the incident.”

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Greenock, Largs, and Cumbrae were sent to the incident alongside a HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter.

The charity said the Largs lifeboat suffered some damage, and it is now unavailable while repairs are undertaken.

The RNLI said emergency cover for the Largs area will be delivered by the RNLI’s lifeboat stations at Troon, Tighnabruaich, Arran, and Helensburgh, and a relief lifeboat will be sent to Largs, ensuring that 24/7 cover can be maintained.