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Red flare sighting prompts early morning call out for Troon RNLI

Lifeboats News Release

At 6.38am on Wednesday 18 July 2018, Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the D Class inshore lifeboat after a report from a member of the public of a red distress flare off Ayr.

Troon Inshore Lifeboat 'Sheena' launching on service to Ayr

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

Troon Inshore Lifeboat 'Sheena' launching on service to Ayr
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The volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station and launched D Class inshore lifeboat Sheena to assist the Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team with the search.

As further information came in, at 6.55am, Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat to carry out a further search offshore.

Both lifeboats searched offshore between Ayr and Troon while the coastguard team carried out a shoreline search.
After searching for an hour, and with no further information or reports, the search was stood down by Belfast Coastguard as a False Alarm with Good Intent.

Both lifeboats then returned to Troon where they were made 'Ready for Service' with the assistance of the shore crew.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, 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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