TEN people on board a sinking boat in the Firth of Clyde have been saved by the crew of the Troon lifeboat.

The Troon RNLI team, responding to the Belfast Coastguard who had received a mayday call, scrambled to rescue the crew onboard the boat that was taking on water south west of the Isle of Bute around 4.30pm on Sunday, June 12.

With strong winds battering the boat, the crew onboard were also suffering from seasickness and were in some distress.

Joining the Troon team in the rescue were the Largs and Tighnabruaich RNLI crews, as well as the Kames coastguard rescue team.

Ayr Advertiser: Troon all-weather lifeboat with the casualty vessel alongsideTroon all-weather lifeboat with the casualty vessel alongside

The casualties were assessed and lifeboat crews boarded the stricken vessel and decided that it was not taking on any more water.

The vessel made its own way to the lee of Inchmarnock island where everyone aboard was transferred, along with one Largs crew member, to the Troon all-weather lifeboat.

Those onboard were then taken to Portavadie marina where they were transferred to the care of the Kames coastguard team.

On arrival all those who had been on board the vessel were checked over by an ambulance crew.

The casualty vessel was taken to Tighnabruaich, where it was placed onto a mooring buoy.

Speaking after the callout, Duty Coxswain aboard Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat Ethan Harris said: "Working together, each of the three volunteer RNLI lifeboat crews from Troon, Largs and Tighnabruaich, demonstrated a high level of team work which meant that all persons were safely transferred back to shore.

"Thanks also to the Kames Coastguard Team and the staff at Portavadie Marina for their assistance.’

Ayr Advertiser: Troon all-weather lifeboat escorts the casualty vesselTroon all-weather lifeboat escorts the casualty vessel