Dunbar RNLI rescue: East Lothian lifeboat called to false alarm as 'experienced instructors' spotted paddle boarding on 8 mile journey along coast from Belhaven to North Berwick

Lothian lifeboat volunteers said they were called to a ‘false alarm with good intent’ after two ‘experienced paddle board instructors’ were spotted on an eight-mile journey from Dunbar to North Berwick.

Dunbar’s RNLI lifeboat volunteers were called out to check on the safety of two stand up paddle boarders on Sunday afternoon after members of the public reported seeing them in trouble.

UK Coastguard paged for both the inshore (ILB) and all-weather lifeboats (ALB) at 3.45pm once they received calls that the paddle boarders were being swept out to sea from Belhaven Bay.

The ILB crew launched and arrived at Belhaven at 4pm.

The Dunbar inshore lifeboat crew in action. Picture: Ian Wilson/Dunbar RNLI

Members of the public on the beach directed the crew westwards.

The paddle boarders were located about a mile north of Peffer Sands- around six miles out from Dunbar.

The two people said they were experienced instructors, equipped with radios, who were heading to North Berwick from Dunbar.

Alan Blair, helmsman for the inshore lifeboat said: “After speaking to the paddle boarders we were satisfied they were not in any harm and needed no assistance.

"We are grateful for the help of the public who did the right thing by calling the coastguard with their concerns.

"It was a false alarm with good intent.”

The crew of the ALB were preparing to launch when the UK Coastguard stood down both lifeboats at 4.30pm.

The news comes after eight people, including five children, were saved by RNLI Kinghorn volunteers this month after a dinghy and paddleboards capsized in the Firth of Forth.

RNLI is urging paddleboarders to take the necessary safety measures.

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