GIRVAN's Lifeboat team were called out three times, twice to rescue stranded families.

At 4.04am on Sunday, August 23, the volunteer crew’s pagers were activated by Belfast coastguard to reports of a yacht with engine failure.

The volunteer crew launched nine minutes later, with reports coming in the yacht was just entering Girvan when it suffered mechanical problems and was located halfway down the pier with two adults and two children aboard.

The casualties were well equipped, with all the correct safety equipment and had deployed their anchor.

A lifeboat crew member went aboard the casualty vessel and the lifeboat went alongside and attached the casualty yacht with ropes and springs to the lifeboat.

The lifeboat then brought the yacht into the harbour and safely berthed it at the pontoons, where Girvan Coastguard Rescue Team (CRT) were waiting to speak to the casualties.

Later that day, at 3:27pm, the volunteer crew’s pagers were once again activated by Belfast Coastguard.

On arrival at station reports were a paraglider heading from Lendalfoot area was experiencing difficulty and being blown out to sea towards Ailsa Craig by the strong offshore Easterly wind.

Girvan All-weather lifeboat 'Sylvia Burrell' was launched without delay and made best speed to the Lendalfoot area.

The lifeboat completed a search pattern of the area between 1st sighting and Ailsa Craig, the lifeboat then proceeded with a search of the area around the island as well as scanning the island for the casualty.

Crew members were placed on the island and carried out a search around the lighthouse and gas tanks areas that were difficult to see from the lifeboat.

With further information received and enquiries made by the coastguard and other agencies it was deemed as a false alarm with good intent and the lifeboat and volunteer crew were stood down.

On Thursday, another family was rescued by the busy crew.

The lifeboat was launched at 4.49pm to reports of kayakers in difficulty and struggling to make headway approximately half a mile from the rocky shoreline near Lendalfoot.

Further reports came in that the kayakers - an adult and child - were making very slow progress in the current conditions.

The crew prepared for arrival at the location and crew members kitted up in dry suits in preparation for entering the water, whilst other crew were keeping watch for the casualties.

Also tasked to the scene were Girvan & Ballantrae Coastguard Rescue Teams and HMS Gannet 'Rescue 177' On arrival the lifeboat stood by as the kayakers were very close to the shore and were assisted from the water by Coastguard Rescue Teams and checked over.

They were described as 'a little fatigued' but requiring no further medical assistance.

both Girvan lifeboat and HMS Gannet 'Rescue 177' were requested to stand down by Belfast Coastguard and return to base.