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First callout of 2022 for Troon RNLI lifeboat

Lifeboats News Release

The first callout of 2022 for Troon RNLI lifeboat station came at 10.07am on Friday 28 January as Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the stations all-weather lifeboat following reports from a member of the public that a kite surfer may be in difficulty in the water at Ayr.

Troon all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

Troon all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat
As the volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station, Belfast Coastguard also tasked the Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team and a Coastguard Senior Coastal Operations Officer (SCOO) to assist from the shore.

With the lifeboat crew kitted, RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat was soon launched and heading to the scene.

On arrival at Ayr the location of the casualty in the water was established by the lifeboat crew and Coastguard team but after liaising with them it was confirmed that they were not in difficulty and did not require any assistance.

With this information, Belfast Coastguard was satisfied that the call was a false alarm with good intent, so the lifeboat crew and coastguard team were stood down to return to station.

Speaking after the callout, Troon RNLI lifeboat Coxswain Joe Millar said ‘On this occasion it did appear from the shore the person may have been in difficulty, but after we arrived on scene it was quickly established that the person did not require any assistance from the lifeboat crew.

'The member of the public reporting the incident from the shore did the correct thing as it could have been someone in trouble and we would always advise people that if they think they have seen someone in difficulty at sea or on the coast, to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

RNLI Media contacts:

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Troon Lifeboat Station, 01292 314414 [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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