New lifeboat helps rescue two kayakers and dog

The two kayakers and a dog were brought to shore by Portpatrick RNLI

A new lifeboat on its first launch was called out to help rescue two kayakers and their dog.

The Portpatrick RNLI boat was despatched along with Stranraer RNLI, Port William Inshore Rescue Service, HM Coastguard and a rescue helicopter.

They were sent to the scene after reports of kayakers in distress south of the Mull of Galloway at about 15:50 on Saturday.

They were quickly located and transferred to the new Portpatrick boat and taken ashore.

A helicopter was called out to help with the search for the kayakers

A third person - who had also been kayaking with a dog with the group - had made it back to shore safely by themself.

John Connor, Portpatrick RNLI volunteer coxswain, said the area could prove difficult even on relatively calm days.

"The Mull of Galloway is a particularly challenging area for wind and tidal swells," he said.

"The conditions were moderate with a light breeze of force two but when we arrived at the scene the kayakers were already around 2.5 miles (4km) away from the shore.

"Had it not been for the swift actions of a member of the public reporting this incident and the assistance we had in being guided to the casualties, this could have been a very different outcome."

He urged everyone taking part in watersports to check the wind and tides before heading out, to wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid and also to carry some means of calling for help.

The rescue was the first launch for Portpatrick's new RNLI lifeboat

The kayaks were also brought back to shore