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Troon lifeboat crew train with Royal Navy Merlin helicopter

Lifeboats News Release

On Monday 18 February 2019 as part of the lifeboat crews weekly training night, the volunteer crew aboard Troon all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat were training alongside a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter

The lifeboat crew at Troon have previously worked alongside the Royal Navy Sea King helicopters and the Coastguard AW189 helicopter from Prestwick but the Merlin was a new experience for some of the crewmembers.

The exercise was to practice winching the helicopter winchman on and off the all-weather lifeboat using the 'hi-line' technique.

In the darkness and moderate sea conditions, the hi-line transfer was successfully completed a number of times during the exercise.

Troon lifeboat Coxswain Joe Millar said "Our thanks go to the crew of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter for a very worthwhile training exercise that we hope to repeat again soon."

Media Contacts

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station, 01292 314414 [email protected]

Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789
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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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