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At 18:48 Saturday 06 August, Girvan Lifeboat’s volunteer crew's pagers were activated by Belfast Coastguard in response to a 999 call to a 16ft vessel with 5 persons on board that had lost propulsion and was taking on water near Ailsa Craig, in worsening sea conditions.
This was the 1st shout for GIRVAN'S relief all-weather lifeboat 12-27 - Pride and Spirit and within 7 minutes the lifeboat and volunteer crew were making best speed towards the last reported position.
Also tasked to the incident were Campbeltown lifeboat and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 999.
CG999 helicopter arrived moments prior to Girvan Lifeboat just as the vessel sank, and as Girvan lifeboat came upon the scene the final casualty was winched from the water.
The casualties were checked over by on board paramedics on the way back to Girvan, despite being wet and cold they appeared healthy and in good spirits, and did not require further medical attention.
Girvan all-weather lifeboat remained on scene to retrieve the floating debris from the sunken boat before making its way back to Girvan.
The Coastguard helicopter landed at McCreath park where it was met by Girvan coastguard rescue team and Police Scotland, the casualties were then taken to the Coastguard station before returning home.
Girvan Lifeboat arrived back in Girvan at 20:15 where it was refuelled and made ready for service.
Although the vessel was lost, 5 lives were saved in this instance, another few minutes and it could have been a very different outcome.