THE RNLI has issued a warning to paddleboard users to be wary of sea currents and to always carry out means of communication in case they get into difficulty.

It comes after a busy afternoon on Saturday for lifeboat volunteers with paddleboarders struggling with the deceptive sea current in Largs leading to emergency assistance being provided.

The RNLI were requested to launch at 1.28pm on Saturday to assist with a paddleboarder and kayaker possibly in difficulty between Hunterston and Wee Cumbrae Island.

The volunteer crew at Largs launched their Atlantic 85 Inshore Lifeboat ‘R A Wilson’ and made best speed towards the area.

Whilst enroute, the lifeboat was stood down as the people involved had managed to make it safely ashore.

However, whilst they were returning to the RNLI slipway, the helm noticed two more paddleboarders who were fishing just off the lifeboat station.

Due to the strong offshore winds, the lifeboat helm decided to go out and have a discussion with them.

After a short discussion the paddleboarders decided that due to the worsening conditions they would take the offer of assistance and were taken closer to shore where they could walk their paddleboards back up the beach.

With the two people now safe, the crew again got ready to recover the lifeboat at the station.

However, whilst the boat was being recovered, the lifeboat were contacted requesting assistance for a small, moored vessel in the vicinity of Ascog Bay near the Isle of Bute which looked like it was sinking.

The crew launched and once on scene found that the yacht was sitting low in the water but there was no sign of anyone on board and all hatches were secure.

With this information passed to UK Coastguard, the crew were released from service and allowed to return to the station where the boat was recovered refuelled, washed down and made ready for the next service call.

Dave Hewitt, Largs lifeboat helm, said: "Today shows how quickly people can get into difficulty, the weather was nice and warm, but the wind was a strong offshore wind, this made the sea look very calm.

"For paddleboards we would always ask they only launch in wind speeds they are able to get back ashore and always carry a means of alerting people that they need assistance."