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Troon RNLI called to assist after World War 2 mine discovered by survey vessel

Lifeboats News Release

At 2.38pm on Tuesday 1 December 2020, Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat to a 68m survey vessel that had discovered an unexploded mine.

The World War Two mine

Royal Navy

The World War Two mine
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The volunteer crew assembled and Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat was soon launched to rendezvous with the vessel to the north east of Isle of Arran.

The lifeboat soon approached the position of the vessel and seven non essential personnel were transferred to the lifeboat.

With the transfer complete, the lifeboat returned to Troon and the vessel continued on its passage while being monitored by Belfast Coastguard.

Shortly after 4.30pm, the lifeboat returned to Troon harbour where the personnel were uplifted and the lifeboat was made ‘Ready for Service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

As the attached article shows, on Wednesday 2 December 2020, the device was found to be a World War Two mine that contained about 350kg of explosives and was destroyed by a controlled explosion.

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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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