Members of the RNLI Troon Lifeboat crew were summoned to deal with four callouts in the space of a few hours on Saturday.
On two occasions, dinner and dessert at a local hotel had to be returned to the kitchen — as members gathered for their formal dinner event.
The team was earlier summoned by Belfast Coastguard at 3.43pm, following reports over paddle boarders in difficulties off Pow Burn, south of Troon.
As the lifeboat approached, information came though that the two casualties were on Meikle Craigs and so were left in the care of the coastguard team.
However, a second incident unfolded further south with another two paddle boarders in difficulty. As a result the all-weather lifeboat was re-tasked by Belfast Coastguard to this incident and the casualties were located.
Incident number three unfolded at 7.15pm, just as the lifeboat crew sat down to a formal lifeboat dinner at the South Beach Hotel.
Reports came in about a paddle boarders drifting offshore at Barassie beach.
The duty crew attended, leaving their partners, along with members of the management team, fundraisers and shop volunteers, to start the meal without them.
With light fading, the coastguard broadcast a mayday relay, and tasked the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team to the scene.
Thankfully, as the lifeboats were launching, Belfast Coastguard notified the crew that the paddle boarder had made it safely ashore.
As a result the lifeboat crew were able to head back to the South Beach Hotel and enjoy their meal.
But more drama followed just after desserts, the next callout came at 9.33pm, with a 24ft yacht that had run aground. This time both lifeboats were tasked.
It was agreed that the stricken yacht was best anchored before it was recovered in daylight.
Volunteer Coxswain Matt Pearce said: “It was good to get my first callout completed as Coxswain aboard Troon all-weather lifeboat. However, I wasn’t expecting the day to be quite as busy as it was!
“Thankfully all the callouts had a positive outcome for those involved.”
Vince McWhirter, Troon RNLI Lifeboat community safety officer, said: “If you are heading out to sea as a novice or experienced paddle boarder, it’s important to take note of the following safety advice: If you can, go with a friend but if you are going out alone, always tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
“Don’t leave the house without a mobile phone or communication device, such as a VHF radio, and keep it in a waterproof pouch so you can call for help.
“And check the weather forecast, wind direction and tide times before you set out. And always wear a suitable personal flotation device and wear suitable clothing for the time of year.”
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