HELENSBURGH'S RNLI responded to three call-outs in a week as more people hit the water in good weather.

The charity said it was seeing more sailing and holiday alerts, including two on the same day.

On Monday, May 29, HM Coastguard asked for the launch of the lifeboat in the early hours of the morning after reports of a missing 28-foot yacht with two people on board.

The vessel was travelling from Ardglass to Rhu but been missing for 24 hours.

Largs lifeboat, Prestwich Search and Rescue helicopyter and both Greenock and Helensburgh Coastguard teams all responded.

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The yacht was later found by Largs lifeboat anchored in Kilcatten Bay. Helensburgh lifeboat was stood down and back home by 5am.

Only a few hours later, at 9.30am, it was launched to investigate a small craft drifting in the channel off Port Glasgow.

Nobody was found on board and the vessel was towed back to a secure mooring away from the channel.

And on Thursday, June 1, the lifeboat was launched after reports of a person in the water off Craigendoran pier.

There was a thorough search of the area before the crew was stood down.

Howard Morrison, local operations manager said: “We have had a higher number of call outs than usual at this time of year possibly due to the good weather and local holidays. As this period of hot weather is due to continue for a few days please ensure you check your equipment and follow safety procedures before going out on the water.”