Concern for drifting dinghy prompts callout for Troon lifeboats
The first launch of 2019 for Troon lifeboat took place yesterday, Monday 10 January 2019, to a drifting dinghy off Irvine.
At 2.32pm Belfast Coastguard activated the crew pagers after they received reports of a dinghy with one person on board drifting out to sea near to Irvine Harbour. Also tasked to the scene was the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat crew attended at the station and the Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat was soon leaving the harbour alongside D Class inshore lifeboat Sheena to locate the dinghy.
Whilst proceeding to Irvine, the crew aboard the all-weather lifeboat observed a small vessel near to Lappock Rock, south of Irvine harbour, and went alongside. The occupant onboard who was fishing confirmed they were safe and well.
While the inshore lifeboat continued north to complete a search of the area outside Irvine harbour, it was confirmed by the Coastguard Rescue Team that the vessel at Lappock Rock was the vessel that had been seen by the initial reporter.
With all persons safe and well, the call was classed as a False Alarm with Good Intent (FAGI) and both lifeboats were able to return to station.
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.
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