The first callout took place at 11.07pm on Saturday 20 June 2020 to assist with an incident at Barassie Beach. As the volunteer crew left their homes and assembled at the lifeboat station, Belfast Coastguard contacted the station to advise the lifeboats were no longer required so the crew were able to return back home to theirs beds.
At 5.33am on Sunday 21 June 2020, the sound of the pagers quickly woke the crew as Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the stations inshore and all-weather lifeboats to assist Police and Coastguard Teams at Ayr.
Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat and D class inshore lifeboat
Sheena were soon launched but on route were stood down by Belfast Coastguard.
At 1.45pm, Belfast Coastguard once again requested the launch of the D class inshore lifeboat to assist with a person in the water at Troon. As the crew kitted and the shore crew prepared the inshore lifeboat to launch, word again came through from the Coastguard that the person was now ashore and the lifeboats were no longer required. With this information the crew were able to return home.
With dinners in the oven, and with plans for Fathers Day dinners for many of the dads on the crew, at 5.37pm the fourth request from the Coastguard alerted the crew to launch the inshore and all-weather lifeboats.
With family dinners on hold, the crew assembled at the lifeboat station to assist a vessel requiring assistance off Ardrossan. RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat and D class inshore lifeboat were on route to Ardrossan to assist when Belfast Coastguard informed the crew that vessel was being helped by the marina workboat and so the crew could once again return to station.
With this information, both lifeboats returned to Troon where the were once again made ‘Ready for Service’ with assistance of the shore crew. After a busy day, the crew and shore crew then returned home to their dinner and their families to await the next callout - whenever it may be.
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]
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.
