Search and rescue helicopter called out to vessel off county

Alerted at around 9pm, the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter flew all the way from Prestwick and conducted a medical evacuation from a vessel in the Firth of Forth.

The crew transferred the patient to hospital. 

HM Coastguard also assisted Police Scotland with a search last night in the North Berwick area, with county lifeboat teams being alerted at 10pm to help. 

READ MORE: North Berwick RNLI called out to 'very serious situation'

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "The Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick conducted a medical evacuation from a vessel in the Firth of Forth, south of Kinghorn, last night.

"Alerted at around 9pm, the helicopter and crew transferred a casualty to hospital."

The Coastguard's helicopter was seen just off the East Lothian coast (Image: Flightradar 24)

The spokesperson continued: "HM Coastguard assisted Police Scotland with a search last night in the North Berwick area.

"Alerted at around 10pm, Dunbar, Fisherrow and North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Teams and an inshore lifeboat from North Berwick RNLI were sent to assist."

Also, North Berwick's RNLI team were called out twice last week following reports of two different incidents. 

The volunteers were called out last Wednesday, to assist a person on a sinking kayak, just off Craigleith (kayak pictured below). 

North Berwick's RNLI team were called out twice last week, including to a person in a sinking kayak. (Image: RNLI North Berwick)

On Friday, August 30, they helped two people on an inflatable in North Berwick's Milsey Bay.

"Remember to keep safe if you're headed out of the water," a spokesperson said.

They gave the following advice to anyone planning to go out onto the water.

• Wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket
• Carry a means of calling for help
• SUPs, kayaks and inflatables: avoid offshore winds
• In any coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.