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Troon RNLI lifeboats launch to swimmer in difficulty at Irvine

Lifeboats News Release

At 1.09pm on Thursday 25th March 2021, the pagers of Troon lifeboat crew were activated by Belfast Coastguard requesting the launch of the stations RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats after reports of a swimmer in difficulty near Irvine.

Troon RNLI D Class inshore lifeboat at sea (stock image)

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

Troon RNLI D Class inshore lifeboat at sea (stock image)
With the volunteer crew responding to the lifeboat station, Belfast Coastguard also tasked the Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams alongside the Coastguard search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick, Rescue 199.

The volunteer crew soon launched Troon RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat and D class inshore lifeboat Sheena to the scene.

As the lifeboats approached the scene, the lifeboat crew were in contact with the coastguard teams on the shore and were guided to the position of the casualty in the water.

The casualty was soon sighted by the crew on board the D class inshore lifeboat and brought aboard the lifeboat. Casualty Care was started by the lifeboat crew as the helm immediately took the boat into Irvine harbour.

The Coastguard helicopter then made its way to the Beach park area, where it landed and the paramedic onboard met with the lifeboat crew to assist with treatment of the casualty.

An ambulance then attended and the casualty was transferred to hospital for further treatment.

With the casualty heading to hospital, the lifeboats returned to Troon where they were made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

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]

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.

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.

About the author

Andrew Limond
Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station

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