TWO people had to be rescued after they got into difficulty off the coast of Ardrossan last week.

On Thursday, July 13, Belfast Coastguard were contacted by a 27ft sailing vessel, with two people on board, that was taking on water in a position approximately two nautical miles south of Ardrossan.

Due to this, the crew from Troon Lifeboat’s pagers were immediately activated requesting the launch of the all-weather and inshore lifeboats to the scene.

In poor visibility and rain showers, the volunteer crew launched Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ and D-Class inshore lifeboat ‘Telford Shopping Centre’ making best speed to the casualty vessel.

After a short passage, the lifeboats approached the casualty vessel and a crew member from the inshore lifeboat was put on board. The reason for the water ingress was established and a temporary fix was put in place by the crew.

With the all-weather lifeboat standing by, the inshore lifeboat established an alongside tow and the sailing vessel was towed to Clyde Marina, Ardrossan where it was met by the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.

With the casualty vessel safely in the marina, the lifeboats stood down, returning to Troon where they were refuelled and made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.