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First launch of 2026 for Troon RNLI lifeboat crew

Lifeboats News Release

An early start on Tuesday 20 January 2026 saw the first callout of the year for the volunteers at Troon RNLI lifeboat station.

RNLI/TroonLifeboat

RNLB Roy Barker VI
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At 4.56am the lifeboat crew pagers were activated by Belfast Coastguard to assist the Scottish Ambulance Service with a patient transfer from Cumbrae to the mainland.

With the volunteers leaving their beds and making their way to the lifeboat station, Troon RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI was launched to assist the medical teams on the island.
Whilst the lifeboat was on route, the crew and Cumbrae Coastguard Rescue Team were informed by Belfast Coastguard that the lifeboat was no longer needed as the transfer using all-weather lifeboat was no longer required.

With this information, the lifeboat crew were able to return to the station where the all-weather lifeboat was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, 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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