The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was called out yesterday afternoon to reports of a person being blown out to sea on an inflatable.
The team responded immediately with RNLI Troon Lifeboat and Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team also being tasked to the incident.
As the team arrived on scene, it was confirmed the person on the inflatable was safely ashore and with family. All persons involved were spoken to and suitable advice given.
We continue to urge the public to leave these inflatable toys at home. They look like good fun but they are designed for use in swimming pools under adult supervision, they are not designed for use at the coast or in the sea.
Yesterday's event once again highlights the dangers of these inflatables and how quickly someone can find themselves being taken out to sea.
It only takes a gentle off shore breeze or a small current to quickly find the safety of the shore getting further and further away.
If you do find yourself being taken out to sea on an inflatable toy, our advice is to stay with it until help arrives. The inflatable will help you stay afloat and out of the water and also make you easier to spot by the search and rescue assets who are sent to help.
The best advice however is just to leave them at home - it's not worth the risk.
It's also crucial that people Know Who To Call in a coastal emergency. Any delay in the right resources being contacted can have a significant impact on the outcome of an incident. If someone is at risk or in difficulty at sea or along the coast it's always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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Search and Rescue - it's what we do.
In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.