CALLOUT: At 3.41am on Sunday the 23rd of July Arran RNLI lifeboat crew were paged by Belfast Coastguard to join an on-going search for two missing sailing dinghies. After launching the Arran RNLI Inshore Lifeboat 'Rachel Hedderwick' the crew were informed that two dinghies had departed Prestwick the previous day and were reported missing as no contact was made throughout the day. A large scale search operation was launched by Belfast Coastguard including; Arran RNLI, RNLI Troon Lifeboat, Girvan Lifeboat, Rescue 199 Search and Rescue helicopter, Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, Arran Coastguard Rescue Team and Police Scotland. At approximately 5am the Arran lifeboat located two vessels matching the description of the missing vessels on the shore of Whiting Bay, Arran. After liaising with both Belfast and Arran Coastguard it was established that these were indeed the missing vessels and all rescue teams were stood down. At 6am the Arran RNLI crew then returned to station and made the lifeboat 'ready for service' The crew at Arran RNLI would like to remind anyone making an open water crossing, particularly in a smaller vessel, that they should alert the coastguard to their intended destination with an ETA. also alerting the coastguard to your safe arrival.

CALLOUTS: Arran RNLI have been tasked twice by Belfast Coastguard over the past two days. On Tuesday the 18th the Arran RNLI Inshore Lifeboat Rachel Hedderwick was tasked to respond to a Pan-Pan distress call from a sailing vessel NE of Pladda. The crew assembled and launched at 9.10pm and made their way on scene. After locating the vessel it became apparent that the mechanical difficulties that the vessel had suffered had been resolved by the boats crew. Given the time and concerns about the mechanical failure reoccurring it was decided that they would be escorted to their destination by our colleagues at Troon RNLI. After being paged by Belfast Coastguard, Troon promptly arrived on scene to guide the vessel to its destination. This allowed the Arran RNLI crew to stand down and return to station. On Wednesday the 19th the Arran RNLI Inshore Lifeboat crew assembled and launched again in response to concerns about a young person being reported missing on the shore between Whiting Bay and Lamlash. Thankfully a short time after launch the young person was found and the Arran RNLI team, local Coastguard Rescue Team and the local Police, were stood down. A busy few days for the Arran RNLI team and we would remind everyone that if you suspect anyone on or near the water of being in difficulty or danger call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Make sure if you're in the area you pay the team in Troon a visit!

A glorious day for an open day! Make sure you pop along we're open from 11-4!

There must be something on at the weekend!

A busy weekend in Lamlash with the Heather Queen, Grinduro and Open Day! Pop down meet the crew and see the boat!

Time flies by just like The Rachel Hedderwick on a shout. Come and meet the crew and think about joining on our Open Day on the 16th July,

A lovely night for training!

A big time of year with the annual Arran RNLI Open Day coming up very soon (Sunday the 16th)! We hope to see as many of you as possible on the day! Also if you've ever (or even if you haven't!) thought about volunteering in the RNLI now is the perfect time! We're recruiting both shore and boat crew and would love to hear from any interested parties, if you want to find out more feel free to drop us a message or pop along on the 16th!

Many thanks to VisitArran for the mention! Open day on the 16th of July all welcome for what will be a great day!