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Troon lifeboats launch to vessel aground at Irvine harbour

Lifeboats News Release

At 10.25pm on Saturday 5 May 2018, Belfast Coastguard paged the crew requesting the launch of both lifeboats to a boat aground at Irvine Harbour.

The D class inshore crew prepare to two the casualty vessel

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The D class inshore crew prepare to two the casualty vessel
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The volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station launching D class inshore lifeboat Sheena and Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat to assist.

While proceeding Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team had arrived on scene and confirmed they had located the vessel to the south of Irvine harbour entrance.

The inshore lifeboat crew arrived on scene and transferred a crewmember ashore to work alongside coastguard personnel to establish a tow.

Operating in darkness close to the rocky shoreline, the D class crew made several attempts to free the vessel however this proved to be unsuccessful because of the position of the casualty vessel.

Due to this, the vessel was anchored to await the rising tide and the sole crewmember aboard the casualty vessel was transferred ashore to the coastguard team

With the vessel secured, the lifeboat crew were stood down and about 1am the lifeboats returned to station where they were 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.


In the darkness, Lifeboat and Coastguard personnel make attempts to tow the casualty vessel

RNLI/ArdrossanCoastguardRescueTeam

Lifeboat and Coastguard personnel at the casualty vessel
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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.

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About the author

Andrew Limond
Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station

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