At 8.30am on Tuesday 1st May 2018, Belfast Coastguard paged the lifeboat crew to launch the all-weather lifeboat to a boat with a fouled propeller off Seamill.
RNLI/ArdrossanCoastguardResueTeam
The all-weather lifeboat berthing the casualty alongside in Clyde Marina Ardrossan assisted by the coastguard team
The crew assembled at the lifeboat station and all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat was quickly launched as the boat was drifting towards the rocky coast. The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was also tasked and the nearby Caledonian MacBrayne ferry
Isle of Arran, diverted to assist launching its on-board Fast Rescue Craft.
The Fast Rescue Craft arrived on scene first and was able to establish a tow taking the boat into deeper water until the lifeboat arrived on scene.
The tow was then transferred to the lifeboat and the Fast Rescue Craft was able to return to the ferry. The lifeboat then towed the boat into Clyde Marina where it was berthed with the assistance of the coastguard team.
With the boat secured alongside the lifeboat the returned to Troon where it was made 'Ready for Service'.
A few hours later, at 12.34pm, Belfast Coastguard again paged the volunteer crew, this time requesting the launch of the all-weather and inshore lifeboats after broken communication with a boat requiring assistance between Troon and Arran.
Due to the difficulty in obtaining in formation, the lifeboat crew were requested to begin a search for the vessel and while doing so make attempts to establish better radio communication with the casualty.
As Belfast Coastguard tried to establish further details, Trent class all-weather lifeboat
RNLB Jim Moffat and D Class inshore lifeboat Sheena launched to commence the search.
Not long after launch, Belfast Coastguard was able to establish further information from the casualty vessel and in doing so were able to confirm its position. With this new information another closer vessel was able to assist and both lifeboats were stood down.
The lifeboats returned back to station where they were again made 'Ready for Service'.
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.
