Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team exists to prevent incidents and accidents along the South Ayrshire coastline, and to respond to emergency calls for assistance on the beach, along the coastline and in the water. It is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, a government organisation.

Emergency deployment is controlled by the Clyde Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, based in Greenock, and team members respond via a pager system.

Regular incident prevention patrols are carried out, with a focus on Ayr and Prestwick Beaches during the summer weekends, where large numbers of visitors congregate. Public relations demonstrations and presentations also take place throughout the year in an attempt to put across the message of marine safety.

Working closely with the Police and Fire & Rescue Service, the team will occasionally become involved with incidents and operations further inland, particularly in the vicinity of waterways.

The team is part of a UK Search and Rescue system that is becoming more and more integrated and as a result, the nature of incidents are becoming more diverse.

The team, made up of a Station Officer, Deputy Station Officer and Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs), is highly trained in cliff rescue, water rescue, search techniques and first aid. Their knowledge of the local geography and coastline often proves invaluable in the speedy resolution of incidents.

Members all dedicate much of their spare time away from their 'daytime' jobs to train and involve themselves in incident prevention and public relations exercises, and quickly respond the any calls for assistance, often in the early hours of the morning.

This website gives an insight into the team and its activities, including a list of callouts.