On Friday 14 June 2024 at 10.31pm Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat and D class inshore lifeboat
Sheena were requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard after a request from Police Scotland to assist in the search for a missing person to the north of Troon harbour.
Both lifeboats launched and carried out a search alongside Coastguard and police personnel but with nothing found, the lifeboats returned to Troon and were made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
The next 4 callouts took place on Sunday 16 June 2024, when at 3.40pm, Belfast Coastguard requested both lifeboats launch following reports of a person in difficulty at Irvine harbour.
The volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat station once again launched RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat
RNLB Jim Moffat and D class inshore lifeboat Sheena as well as tasking the Ardrossan Coastguard Team and the Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 199 from Prestwick.
Once on scene it was confirmed that it was a false alarm with good intent and the lifeboats were stood down.
At 4.28pm, a further tasking was received by Belfast Coastguard to assist with a search at Ayr. Both lifeboats headed to Ayr and carried out a search alongside Coastguard rescue teams and Police. With nothing found during the search, the lifeboats were stood down pending further information and headed back to Troon.
At 7.25pm, as the lifeboats were made ‘ready for service’, both lifeboats were immediately tasked alongside Coastguard Teams and the Coastguard helicopter, Rescue 199 to a person in the water at Ayr harbour. On arrival the lifeboat crew, Police and Coastguard personnel carried out a search of the area but with nothing found, the lifeboats were stood down by Belfast Coastguard to return to station.
However, at 8.40pm while heading to Troon, Belfast Coastguard requested the assistance of the all-weather lifeboat to a further missing person search at Irvine. The all-weather lifeboat made best speed to the area along with Coastguard teams while the inshore lifeboat returned to Troon.
Once on scene, the all-weather lifeboat carried out a search of the area but again with nothing found the lifeboat was stood down by Belfast Coastguard. The all-weather lifeboat returned to Troon where both lifeboats were made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
Following a busy weekend for the volunteer crew, and their families, Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘I’d like to thank the families of the crew, particularly on Father’s Day, with many dads responding to callouts, often sacrificing family plans so that they can crew the lifeboats.
With several callouts over the last few days, their continued support enables us to continue to launch the lifeboats to save lives at sea.’
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.