A paddle boarder who drifted miles out to sea sparked an emergency rescue operation off the coast of Fife.
RNLI crews from Anstruther sprang into action on Saturday afternoon after a woman was spotted drifting with a paddle board out at Kingsbarns to the North Sea.
Two lifeboats were launched after multiple 999 calls were made shortly before 12.30pm.
The challenging conditions made it extremely difficult for the crew to find the watersports enthusiast. Footage shows white horse waves crashing over the D-class inshore lifeboat as crew desperately search St Andrews Bay for signs of the floating vessel.
But it was an eagle-eyed crew member who spotted the stranded woman clinging desperately to her board over two miles from where they originally spotted. The RNLI volunteer can be heard shouting "we have a visual!" before the boat speeds towards her.
The casualty was helped onto the lifeboat and transferred to the Mersey class all-weather lifeboat, before being taken to Anstruther Harbour to meet waiting paramedics.
Louis McNaught was the crew member to first spot the casualty, and he praised the swift actions of the multiple 999 callers in raising the alarm.
Louis said: "With strong gusts blowing the paddleboarder over two miles from the first reported location, it was down to the quick thinking of the multiple 999 callers who got vital help to the person in need."
"We urge anyone who spots someone in difficulty to do the same and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
It was a golf caddy who first spotted the casualty in difficulty and was crucial to helping the RNLI find them. They posted: "I phoned the Coastguard three times while at Kingsbarns [golf course] trying to describe the location.
"I could see her drifting miles out off Cambo Ness through my golf yardage laser. Felt utterly helpless as she blew out. The wait for the lifeboats was agonising. So happy you found her and she's ok."
Susan Coia commented: "It was so scary to witness this today and all credit to all the emergency services who did a great job. Never underestimate the power of the sea, it's so terrifying."
The RNLI in Scotland saw an 86 percent increase in rescues involving paddleboards last year. And the lifeboat charity has urged anyone planning to head out to the open seas on one to wear a flotation device and be mindful of offshore winds.
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