A lifeboat crew rescued a distressed paddleboarder stranded at sea off the coast of Scotland on Saturday, July 1.

The distressed woman was spotted at around 12:30 pm clinging onto her fiberglass board as she 'drifted at speed in a force six strong breeze' near Kingsbarns, Fife.

Two Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) vessels were deployed by Anstruther RNLI following multiple 999 calls from worried onlookers. A UK Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter also joined the search.

Volunteer Louis McNaught eventually spotted the female paddleboarder, who was pulled onto the lifeboat and transported to the Anstruther Harbour to be treated by paramedics.

Louis said: 'With strong gusts blowing the paddleboarder over two miles from the first reported location, it was down to the quick thinking of the multiple 999 callers who secured vital help for the person in need.

'We urge anyone who spots someone in difficulty to do the same and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'

Paddleboarding has surged in popularity in recent years due to how easy it is to use one of the devices. However, it has led to a rise in the number of people needing rescuing when they are pushed away from the shore.