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Busy week for Troon RNLI volunteers

Lifeboats News Release

As the temperatures increased and more people made their way to the Ayrshire coast, the volunteer lifeboat crew at Troon RNLI lifeboat station were kept busy this week.

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RNLI Crewmember Jenn Tweedie recovering the inflatables
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Their first callout came at 2.13pm on Tuesday 26 May 2026 following reports of jet skiers in difficulty at Stevenston point. With Police and Coastguard team assisting on the shore, Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI was launched and soon located the jet skiers. The casualties were given initial casualty care before being taken to Ardrossan harbour where they were met by ambulance and the Coastguard Team.

On Wednesday 27 May at 5.53pm, the volunteers were alerted to paddleboarders in difficulty off Prestwick. RNLI D class inshore lifeboat Sheena was soon launched and were able to assist the paddleboarders back to the beach into the care of the Coastguard.

At 3.47pm on Thursday 28 May, the pagers were once again activated by Belfast Coastguard following reports of 3 children in difficulty on inflatables at Ayr. The Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI was launched to the scene, but thankfully the crew were informed by the Coastguard on route the children were back safely ashore. The lifeboat crew were able to recover the inflatables before returning to Troon where the all weather lifeboat was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said: “Following the recent good weather the coast is becoming busier and our advice would be for anyone going out onto the water to please wear a suitable flotation device, check the weather and tides and ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty.'

‘We would also advise not to use inflatables in the sea – please save them for the pool and if you do see someone in trouble at sea or along the coast, please call 999 and ask for Coastguard.
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The empty inflatables seen by the lifeboat crew
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RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Andrew Limond
Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station

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