THE Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was joined by partner agencies on Sunday as the Safe Positive Communities initiative held an event in Ardrossan.

HM Coastguard, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service and North Ayrshire Community Wardens visited Clyde Marina, Ardrossan, to speak to local boat owners and visitors berthed in the marina and provide safety information on a wide range of subjects including staying safe on the water and boat security.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team said: “We were joined today by our partner emergency service colleagues and community wardens to speak specifically to people about staying safe in the marine environment."

As well as speaking to local boat owners, a number of visitors to the area including two gentlemen from Germany were also issued with safety leaflets and given some practical safety advice to ensure their visit to the west of Scotland is remembered for all the right reasons.

One of the team is bilingual and fluent in German and was therefore able to converse and provide safety advice to the visitors in their native language – a skill which was well used and well received by everyone.

The event highlighted the continued close partnership working which currently exists between the emergency services and council authority within North Ayrshire.

Chief Inspector Tim Ross, Director of Community Safety at North Ayrshire Council, commented: “Today we have been engaging with local residents, visitors and businesses in the area to provide information and advice on the steps people can take to stay safe in the marine environment.

As part of the Safe Positive Communities initiative, we aim to raise awareness of the organisations who are working to keep people safe in North Ayrshire and the services they can provide.

"Events like this are a great opportunity for people to learn more about how we can all work together to make North Ayrshire a safer place.” After visiting the marina, the mutli-agency event moved across the road to ASDA where all organisations were on hand to speak to members of the public, answer any questions and find out more about the how people are kept safe across North Ayrshire.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team added: “Our advice this year is simple – Play It Safe. In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.” You can keep up-to-date with the Ardrossan Coastguard Team at facebook.com/ardrossancoastguard.