Friday 3 June 2022 proved to be another busy day for Troon RNLI lifeboat crew with the first callout shortly before 1am and several other incidents taking place throughout the day.
RNLI/TroonLifeboat
Troon RNLI D class inshore lifeboat heading towards Irvine
At 0055am, Belfast Coastguard contacted the Deputy Launching Authority to request the launch of the lifeboats to assist with an incident at Ardrossan. As the information was being relayed to the launching authority further information came through from Police Scotland that the lifeboats launch was no longer required so the crew were then able to return home to bed.
However, the next callout meant an early start for the volunteer crew as at 0540am the pagers sounded when Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the Trent class all-weather lifeboat to an incident at Gourock to assist Helensburgh lifeboat. With the crew assembling at the station, Belfast Coastguard received further information and prior to launch the crew were stood down as the all-weather lifeboat was no longer required.
A few hours later, with the sun shining and an offshore breeze affecting much of the Ayrshire coast, at 1115am, Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat to a paddleboarder in difficulty at Irvine.
The crew assembled and D class lifeboat Sheena was launched. With Ayrshire Police Division running Safer Shores initiative at Troon South Beach, Police Rib Delta was also tasked and prior to the arrival of the inshore lifeboat, the police rib located the casualty.
With the casualty in the care of the Police, the D class inshore lifeboat returned to station and was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
A few hours later at 1.45pm, the pagers were once again activated by Belfast Coastguard for the launch of the inshore lifeboat but again as the lifeboat crew were assembling the launch was cancelled.
Police Scotland officers had been alerted to 3 persons in a dingy drifting off the shore at South Beach, Troon. Police Rib Delta was once again quickly on scene, and with the assistance of the Police drone unit, the dingy was quickly located and all casualties were taken aboard the Police boat to Troon marina.
Speaking after the callouts,
Troon lifeboat Community safety officer Vince McWhirter said: 'With good weather forecast for the rest of the weekend if you are planning to visit the coast, we would urge the public to think about their own safety and to respect the water.
'Please follow some simple steps to stay safe:
Leave the inflatables at home. They are designed for the swimming pool – not the sea.
Check the weather, tide times, wind direction and be aware of local hazards
If you find yourself in difficulty in the water remember 'float to live'
And, if you see someone in difficulty at sea or along the coast dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.'
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.
