At 5pm on Monday 16 April 2018, Belfast Coastguard paged the crew for the immediate launch of both lifeboats after reports of a person in the water at South Beach, Ardrossan.
Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team
Troon Inshore Lifeboat launching within Irvine Harbour
The volunteer crew made their way to the station where Trent class all-weather lifeboat
RNLB Jim Moffat was launched. Due to the weather conditions, the D Class inshore lifeboat
Telford Shopping Centre and crew were taken by road to the incident using the stations Landrover.
As both lifeboats approached the scene, information came through from the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team that the person was no longer in the water so the lifeboats could return to station.
As the lifeboats returned to Troon, Belfast Coastguard re-tasked both lifeboats after they had received reports of a person stuck on the mudflats at the River Garnock within Irvine harbour.
Both lifeboats immediately diverted to Irvine, with the D Class inshore lifeboat quickly launching from within the harbour.
The Ardrossan Coastguard Team also made their way to the incident along with officers from Police Scotland.
As the lifeboat crew approached the person in the water, they established that the person was fishing, was suitable equipped and not in any difficulty.
Satisfied that it had been a false alarm with good intent both lifeboats were stood down by Belfast Coastguard and returned to station.
On return to Troon, the lifeboats were refuelled and made 'ready for service' with the assistance of the shore crew.
If you think you see someone in trouble at sea, or on the coast, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
RNLI Media Contacts: Andrew Limond, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Troon, 01292 314414
[email protected]
Henry Weaver, RNLI Press Officer for Scotland, 01738 642946, 07771 943026, [email protected]
Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789.
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.
