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Troon RNLI launch to EPIRB activation

Lifeboats News Release

At 9.15pm on Monday 31 July 2023, just at the conclusion of the volunteers weekly crew training, Troon lifeboat crew were paged by Belfast Coastguard after reports of an activation of an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in the vicinity of Troon harbour.

Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat launches on service

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat launches on service
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An EPIRB is a type of emergency beacon carried by vessels which can be activated when the vessel is in distress. The distress signals are passed to the relevant Coastguard maritime rescue coordination centre, which will task the nearest search and rescue teams.

While Belfast Coastguard made further attempts to identity the vessel, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Ayr and Ardrossan, alongside Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat began a search of the area.

A further position was updated which put the vessel inside the harbour area. A search was undertaken and the EPIRB was located on an unoccupied vessel secured within the harbour.

Liaising with Belfast Coastguard, it was confirmed that this was correct EPIRB and as the vessel was not in difficulty the lifeboat crew and coastguard teams were stood down.

The lifeboat returned to the berth where the lifeboat was 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.

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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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