Mechanical failures Arran (Lamlash) lifeboat crew were mustered on the evening of Sunday July 22, 1984, after Clyde Coastguard had been told that a speedboat was seen to be drifting towards the main channel between Hamilton Rock and Ardrossan on the mainland. At 2117 the station's 15ft 6in D class inflatable lifeboat was launched, manned by Helmsman Evan McConnell and Crew Members Angus Campbell and Daniel Lapsley.

The weather was fine with good visibility and light air from the north east. An auxiliary coastguard from Arran had gone to Altardach which was where the speedboat had first been sighted. From this point he was able to direct the lifeboat to the casualty whichwas drifting towards the mainland, about six miles from Lamlash. The lifeboat reached her at 2140 and found four men and one woman on board with one of the men suffering from hypothermia.

The 13ft speedboat had been drifting for some five hours after the ignition key to the engine had broken while they were returning to Saltcoats after a day on the Isle of Arran.

The speedboat was taken in tow to Lamlash which was reached at 2220. An ambulance had been called to take the man with hypothermia to hospital and the remaining four survivors were warmed at the lifeboat station where the local Red Cross had supplied clothing and blankets. The lifeboat was rehoused, ready for service at 2256..