An innocent bunch of party balloons caused a huge search and rescue incident last Sunday.
Twelve guests at Catacol Bay Hotel saw what they thought was a paraglider plunging into the sea between Arran and Kintyre.
Chris Bond, son of hotel proprietor Norman Bond, said: ‘Some of the locals were in for the regular Sunday buffet and they saw this coloured object falling into the water about half a mile out. It could easily have been a paraglider.’
The hotel guests raised the alarm at 1.30pm and emergency services swung into action. The CalMac Lochranza to Claonaig ferry MV Loch Tarbert diverted to the scene and was joined by the Tighnabruich lifeboat and crew.
Another five vessels came to the rescue. However, when the rescuers arrived all they found was a large cluster of party balloons floating in the water.
A Clyde Coastguard spokesman said: ‘The Arran coastguard was first on the scene and discovered the balloons. Guests at the hotel had all seen what they thought was a paraglider fall into the water and were very concerned.
‘It is vital that we investigate every call. This was a genuine call, but the man who contacted us said he felt a bit foolish afterwards.
‘You can’t stop people letting off balloons but it would be better if they informed the coastguard beforehand. We have the same problem with Chinese lanterns. People see them and think they are distress flares. They burn for up to 20 minutes and can travel several miles before floating back down to earth.’
Another major search was launched at 11pm on Monday night when a man in the garden of the Ormidale Hotel reported seeing a red flare in the sky over Brodick bay near Fisherman’s Walk.
Coastguards, police, mountain rescue team and the Boys Brigade lifeboat carried out an extensive search of the bay but found no trace. The lifeboat returned to station at 3am.
Local police sergeant Bob MacKay said: ‘It could well have been a Chinese lantern. If anyone is going to let one off they should alert the police by telephoning 302573.’
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