Cumbrae Coastguard Rescue Team

13/06/2026

‼️📟Team were tasked yesterday evening to a report of a sailing vessel struggling against the conditions with two persons aboard to the west of Cumbrae.📟‼️

In deteriorating visibility, rain and gusting wind, a search was completed from White Bay on the north of the island, covering the various bays and shoreline all the way down the west side of the island to the caravan park with nothing found.🌧️💨👀

As the strong south westerly winds would have carried a vessel in a northerly direction, the team reversed the route rechecking the west of the island in an attempt to confirm it had not gone aground or capsized. After speaking directly to the member of the public who made the call and with visibility improving, the team were subsequently stood down. ⛵️💬✅

In seeing something that didn't look right, the member of the public did exactly the right thing in calling 999 to describe what they could see. There are around 35 million 999 calls made every year in the UK, but do you know what happens after you actually call the magic number?🆘☎️9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣

HM Coastguard is one of the UK's four emergency services who operate dedicated 24x7 control centres but don't worry if you're not sure where you are or if you don't know which service you need - The 999 call handler will help work that out. 🎧⁉️🗺️

If someone's at risk out on the water or near the coast then you'll speak to a Maritime Operations Officer at one of our ten Rescue Coordination Centres around the UK. Based on your situation, they'll task the right combination of assets which could be a lifeboat from the RNLI if the incident is out on the open water, a Coastguard Rescue Team like us if it's closer to shore or a search & rescue helicopter if you're in one of those particularly hard to reach places. 🛟⛑️🚁

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

05/06/2026

‼️📟Team were tasked alongside Largs Lifeboat yesterday afternoon to ensure the safety of the crew of a vessel which was reported aground in Millport Bay. 📟‼️

A member of the public on shore had seen the vessel struggling under sail against the wind and striking the Eileans and the rock armour of the offshore breakwater as they attempted to secure to a mooring buoy. 💨⛵️🛘

Upon reaching the vessel, the RNLI crew confirmed it had not suffered any damage, the occupant was thankfully uninjured and was happy to remain on the mooring. 🆘🚨✅

If you are sailing alone, it is essential that you wear a lifejacket and have the means to call for help yourself if you get into trouble, ideally with a VHF radio and a Personal Locator Beacon. 📡⚠️📻

Take the time now to make sure that both you and your vessel are fully prepared for another season on the water.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

31/05/2026

Visitors are reminded not to block access to the steel platforms and stairs on the north side of Millport Pier as per the signage from North Ayrshire Council. ⛔️🪧

A number of rings and bollards are provided on the masonry pier for securing vessels, along with ladders and steps leading from the water. 🚤⛵️🛥️

The ability to safely transfer individuals to shore who had been recovered by Largs Lifeboat was hindered earlier this week by a vessel which had tied directly to the handrail at the platform and been left unattended. ‼️🚨🆘

Please only use the platform and stairs for embarking and disembarking to ensure that emergency access remains possible at all times. 🙏✅

27/05/2026

‼️📟 Team were tasked last week alongside Largs Lifeboat in response to a lone kayaker offshore in the area of Millport Bay who required assistance. 📟‼️

As the closest asset to the scene, the team were asked to locate them and confirm their condition. 👀🔎🗺️

Fortunately, a passing vessel was able to recover the kayaker aboard and hand them over to the lifeboat for assessment before they were assisted to Largs Yacht Haven. 🚤🛟⛑️

With summer fast approaching, make sure you know how you'd call for help if you found yourself in the water and separated from your craft - Remember, the air may be warm but the water will be cold so dress for immersion. 🌊🥶🆘

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

24/05/2026

☀️ 🏊‍♂️❓👀⬇️

Taking a dip in the sea on a hot day? ⛱️

Don’t be fooled, just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean the water is warm.

Entering cold water, whether deliberately or accidentally, can cause cold water shock.

When this happens, you may gasp involuntarily, followed by rapid breathing that can be very difficult to control. This can increase the risk of inhaling water and drowning.

Never jump straight in. Instead, enter the water slowly to help your body adjust, and avoid swimming alone. Wearing a wetsuit can also help by improving buoyancy and reducing the effects of cold water.

Don’t forget to have warm clothes ready for when you come back to shore.

In an emergency at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

23/05/2026

⬇️🆘❓☎️9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣

15/05/2026

📅 Marine Safety Day tomorrow at Largs Yacht Haven 👀

12/05/2026

Prevailing wind has a massive effect on watercraft like paddleboards which sit on top of the water and rely on a paddle to move through the water. 🏄🌊💨

Recent incidents in our area have highlighted the importance of planning what to do if you lose your paddle, if you come off your board and cannot recover, or if the wind changes. ‼️🆘🚨

The incident footage below includes real audio from the 999 call and footage from the rescue. 🎥📲🛟

If you're taking to the water, ask yourself "what if" every time...
• Always check the weather and tide times 🌦️✅
• Wear a suitable wetsuit and personal flotation device 🦺✅
• Carry a means of calling for help 📱✅

These decisions literally saved Alfie's life. If you get into trouble at the coast or at sea, ☎️9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

03/05/2026

Training this weekend included a debrief of recent local incidents where HM Coastguard assets including our team and Largs Lifeboat RNLI were tasked to persons in distress. ‼️🚨🆘

We discussed the impact of easterly winds and local weather conditions which can pose significant risks to the safety of recreational watercraft as more people start to take to the water as the weather warms up. 💨🧭⛵️

We also discussed community safety messaging and specific resources which can help members of the public stay safe around the coast and on the water, no matter which kind of activity they are undertaking. 🏊🛶🚤🤿

Once kitted up, we stopped at Newton Bay to go over practical identification and description of different types of vessels and the impact of prevailing wind and tide, we checked the condition of the timber section of Millport Pier and that the life rings remained ready for use, and we stopped off at the ferry slipway to check access routes down to the shoreline beyond the construction works and over the rock armour. 📍🗺️⛔️

If you see someone in trouble around the coast, ☎️ 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ and ask for the Coastguard.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

27/04/2026

Every tasking is normally led by an OiC who is responsible for driving activities on scene, assigning tasks, directing team members and ensuring on-scene safety of all those involved.

Here on Cumbrae, we have a choice of three and by remaining hands-off, they act as a single point of contact for the Rescue Coordination Centre and other assets and agencies who might also be involved in the tasking.