At 3.57pm on Sunday 27 May 2018, Belfast Coastguard paged the volunteer crew after reports of an inflatable being blown offshore at South Beach, Troon.
Also tasked by Belfast Coastguard was the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
The D Class inshore lifeboat Sheena was soon launched and located an empty inflatable. After a short search, it was confirmed that no persons were missing and so the inshore lifeboat was stood down.
While this was taking place, the Trent class all-weather lifeboat was tasked by Belfast Coastguard after separate reports of an inflatable being blown offshore south of Irvine harbour.
The all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat was quickly on route and located an inflatable with two children on board. The casualties were taken aboard the lifeboat where the lifeboat crew began their initial Casualty Care.
On arrival at Troon the lifeboat was met by the Ardrossan Coastguard Team and the two casualties were checked over by paramedics from the Scottish Ambulance Service. No further medical treatment was needed so the casualties were able to be taken home by their parents.
As the lifeboats were being made ‘Ready for Service’, at 5.13pm, Belfast Coastguard paged the crew to launch after reports of another inflatable being blown offshore south of Ayr harbour.
The crew quickly launched the all-weather lifeboat making its way to the scene along with the Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams.
The inflatable and its two adult occupants were located and had been assisted by passing canoeists who had remained with them until the lifeboats arrival.
As the two casualties from the inflatable had been in the water, the lifeboat crew commenced initial Casualty Care requesting an ambulance to meet with the lifeboat on its arrival back at Troon.
An ambulance was requested by Belfast Coastguard and the lifeboats returned back to Troon. On arrival, the casualties were assessed by paramedics and after being warmed up did not require to be taken to hospital.
After completing three callouts today, and five over the Bank Holiday weekend, all involving inflatables, the crew made the lifeboats ‘Ready for Service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
Troon Lifeboat Coxswain Joe Millar said: ''After 5 callouts this Bank Holiday weekend for the volunteer crew involving inflatables please don't use them on the coast. Inflatables and airbeds are designed for pools, not the sea especially when the wind is blowing offshore as 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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