The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was called out shortly before 6pm this evening to reports of three persons stranded on rocks and cut off by the tide in Saltcoats.
The team responded immediately to the scene and quickly located the first informant and the three casualties stranded on the rocks below the sea wall and promenade between Saltcoats and Stevenston.
The team deployed two water rescue operators to the rocks below using an access point a short distance away from the casualties and carefully made their way along the rocks and shallow tide to where the casualties were located. Other team members remained top side to provide additional lighting, act as safety spotters and tender floating lines attached to the water rescue operators below.
Additional emergency services arrived on scene including two appliances from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland.
The two water rescue operators secured all three casualties and fitted them with life jackets with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service identifying a suitable location nearby to lower a short ladder to assist in the extraction.
The team members deployed assisted the three casualties across the rocks and shallow tide to where the short ladder was lowered and all three casualties and two rescuers were successfully extracted back onto the promenade above.
The three casualties were checked over the the Scottish Ambulance Service however were fit and well, had not been in the water and did not require any further medical assistance. The casualties were left in the care of Police Scotland.
With all three casualties safely recovered all rescue resources on scene were stood down to return to their respective stations. The team has thereafter stood down and returned to station to clean down all equipment used, repack vehicles and equipment and complete the necessary paperwork.
Fortunately in this instance the first informant dialed 999 and asked for the Coastguard with the team being on scene shortly thereafter to being the rescue operation. This incident once again highlights the excellent multi-agency working which exists in Ayrshire with all services working together leading to a safe and successful outcome for all persons involved.
We continue to urge the public to adhere to the current Government guidelines and if visiting the coast for exercise to always follow these simple steps:
• Stay back from cliff edges
• Take a fully charged mobile phone
• Check the weather and tide times
• In an emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard
Search and Rescue - it's what we do.
In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.