At 1.27pm with the some of the crew on station, and members of the public enjoying trips on the restored William Riley Lifeboat, Belfast Coastguard activated the pagers after reports of a person in difficulty in the water at Doonfoot.
After further crew assembled at the lifeboat station, D class inshore lifeboat
Sheena and Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat were soon launched. Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team were also tasked and made their way to the scene.
While on route, the inshore lifeboat was stood down as the person was confirmed to be ashore. The all-weather continued to the scene and were able to recover a dinghy that had blown offshore from the beach.
With no further persons in difficulty, the all-weather lifeboat was then able to return to station.
As the crew approached Troon, a further tasking was received by Belfast Coastguard to assist two vessels off Troon harbour. The all-weather lifeboat quickly located the vessels, and the inshore lifeboat was launched to provide further assistance.
On arrival, after speaking to the crews on both vessels, one motor vessel was towed into Troon harbour and secured within the marina.
With no further taskings from Belfast Coastguard, both lifeboats were able to return to station where they were made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
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.
