The Troon RNLI lifeboat crew raced to help a vessel in difficulty during the International Ayr Show festivities.

While the crowds visited the Ayrshire coast, enjoying the sunshine and the airshow, the volunteer crew were paged at 4.26pm on Saturday, September 7.

Reports had been received by Belfast Coastguard of a vessel in difficulty approximately one mile west of Troon.

The lifeboat crew assembled at the lifeboat station and RNLI D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ was soon launched. A coastguard team on duty at the airshow was also tasked to assist.

The inshore lifeboat crew soon located the casualty vessel with four people on board and, after discussion with those on board, a tow was established back to Troon Yacht Haven.

After a short tow, the casualty vessel was secured alongside in the marina.

While this was being carried out, a Pan Pan was received by Belfast Coastguard from a yacht indicating that they had a problem onboard and requesting assistance, but the situation was not life threatening.

Another vessel offered assistance, and once the D class was released from the initial tasking, established that lifeboat assistance was not required as another yacht had commenced a tow back to Troon.

With no further taskings, the inshore lifeboat returned to station and was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.