Sunny weather saw Helensburgh’s lifeboat called out three times last week – and twice on the same day.
The warm weather and the start of the sailing season and holiday period have seen more people out on the water in the Firth of Clyde.
In the early hours of the morning on Monday May 29 HM Coastguard requested the launch of the RNLI lifeboat in response to reports of a missing 28ft yacht with two people on board, which was on passage from Ardglass to Rhu.
The yacht had been missing for 24 hours, with the Largs lifeboat, Prestwick search and rescue helicopter and both Greenock and Helensburgh Coastguard teams joining the search.
The missing yacht was found anchored in Kilchattan Bay by Largs lifeboat and the Helensburgh lifeboat was stood down and back on station by 5am.
At around 9.30 am on the same day the lifeboat was launched to investigate a small craft drifting in the channel off Port Glasgow.
The crew identified the vessel and finding no-one on board they towed the boat to a secure mooring away from the channel.
Then on Thursday June 1 the lifeboat was launched after a report of a person in the water off Craigendoran pier.
The crew searched the area before being stood down and returning to the station.
Howard Morrison, local operations manager said: “We have had a higher number of callouts than usual at this time of year, possibly due to the good weather and local holidays.
“As this period of hot weather is due to continue for a few days please ensure you check your equipment and follow safety procedures before going out on the water.”
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