A PERSON had to be rescued from the water outside Troon Harbour last night.

A rescue operation took place involving Troon lifeboat crew, the Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 199, along with Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams at around 8.21pm on Sunday, June 28.

Belfast Coastguard alerted Troon RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats that a person was in the water.

Police were also informed of the incident and several officers attended the scene to assist.

The casualty was hauled from the water in difficult conditions before being treated by paramedics at Troon Marina.

A spokesperson from the Troon RNLI said: “At 8.21pm, Belfast Coastguard paged the crew to launch the RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats after reports of a person in the water outside Troon harbour.

RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ quickly launched and, with the assistance of police officers on the shore and harbour wall, the location of the casualty in the water was identified.

“Due to the position of the casualty, D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ was directed in towards the casualty and, in difficult sea conditions adjacent to the harbour wall, the volunteer crew successfully recovered the casualty into the inshore lifeboat.

“Casualty Care was started immediately by the crew and the casualty was taken to Troon Marina where the inshore lifeboat was met by the Coastguard Teams.

“The casualty was then transferred into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“With the casualty on route to hospital, the inshore lifeboat was recovered and both lifeboats were made ’Ready for Service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.”