Troon RNLI lifeboats assist 3 persons stranded at Irvine
At 812pm on Tuesday 9 February 2021, Belfast Coastguard paged the lifeboat crew to launch the inshore and all-weather lifeboats following reports that people who had been out walking had become lost and disorientated in the vicinity of the River Garnock on the north side of Irvine harbour.
The crew attended at the station to launch RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat and D class inshore lifeboat Sheena. Also tasked were the Greenock and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team alongside the Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick, Rescue 199.
The Coastguard helicopter quickly arrived on scene and located the 3 casualties directing the inshore lifeboat to their location.
The inshore lifeboat crew managed to get the casualties into the lifeboat before transferring them onto the all-weather lifeboat which was alongside the pontoons in the harbour.
With the casualties safely ashore with Police and Coastguards, the lifeboats were stood down by Belfast Coastguard before making their way back to Troon where they were made ‘Ready for Service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
Troon Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘On this occasion the casualties did the right thing by phoning for assistance when they became disorientated in the darkness and stayed where they were until help arrived.
‘If you are going out for walk as part of your permitted exercise, particularly at night, please be aware of the following:
- Be wary of all edges around the sea and waterside. Slips and falls happen in all locations
- Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
- Take care when walking in the dark and slippery conditions.
- Always take a means of calling for help.'
RNLI 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]
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.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.