TROON Lifeboat crews were tasked to aid a rescue operation after an alert was raised about a dinghy with children on board being blown out to sea.

Both Troon lifeboats were launched in response to the emergency, which was reported to have happened off the coast at Saltcoats.

Coastguard personnel also spring into action with the Belfast all-weather lifeboat, Ardrossan rescue team​ and Search and Rescue helicopter all sent to the scene.

A member of the Ardrossan team contacted the person who had reported the incident to confirm the location of the dinghy.

This information was then passed on to the lifeboats and helicopter heading to the scene. 

First to arrive was the helicopter, whose crew reported that there were four adults on board the dinghy and they appeared to be fishing. 

Before long, the Troon crew were alongside and were able to confirm that no-one was in any difficulty.

As all were safe on board, the call was put down to a false alarm with good intent, so the lifeboats returned to Troon and prepared for the next call-out.

Joe Millar, the Troon Lifeboat coxswain, said: “This callout was a false alarm with good intent.

"We would always rather launch and not be needed, than not be called and learn that someone had been in trouble. 

“I would urge anyone who is concerned that someone may
be in distress at sea to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."