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Troon lifeboat launches to inflatable being blown offshore at Irvine

Lifeboats News Release

At 4.55pm on Saturday 26 May 2018, an immediate launch of Troon all-weather lifeboat was requested by Belfast Coastguard after reports from Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team of a young girl being blown out to sea on an inflatable with another person heading into the sea to get her.

In calm seas, Troon Trent class all-weather lifeboat 'RNLB Jim Moffat' making best speed to Irvine with the Isle of Arran in the background

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

Troon all-weather lifeboat making best speed to Irvine
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The volunteer crew quickly assembled at the lifeboat station and launched the Trent class lifeboat making best speed to Irvine.

Shortly after, the Ardrossan Coastguard Team informed the lifeboat that both persons were ashore and that the lifeboat could stand down.

The lifeboat returned to station and was made 'Ready for Service'

Due to the offshore winds this is the second callout in two days for the volunteer crew due to inflatables at the coast.
As our Coxswain Joe Millar said following yesterdays callout ''Inflatables and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea especially when the wind is blowing offshore and they can quickly be blown out to sea.

'If you do 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.

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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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