A full-scale rescue mission was launched earlier today on the North Coast to rescue two paddle boarders who got into difficulty.
The RNLI launched its All-Weather Lifeboat on Sunday afternoon and along with Red Bay RNLI affected the rescue off Ballintoy Harbour in Co Antrim.
Portrush RNLI reported the paddle-boaders were later airlifted off Sheep Island by the Coastguard helicopter.
The Police helicopter, Police46, was also dispatched to the scene to lend assistance.
In a tweet the PSNI said: "We were tasked by @MCA_media earlier to assist the search for two paddle boarders who were in distress off Ballintoy.
"Police46 responded. @PortrushRNLI located them and they were winched to the safety of dry land by the Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 199."
The RNLI also tweeted: "Portrush All weather Lifeboat was requested to launch this afternoon along with Red Bay RNLI to paddle boarders in difficulty at Ballintoy.
"The casualties were airlifted off Sheep island by HMCG Heli as the lifeboats stood by to assist. Casualties handed over to Coastguard."
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