Busy few days for RNLI Troon lifeboat crew

At 5.51pm on Sunday 12 July 2026, the pagers were activated by Belfast Coastguard following reports of paddleboarders in difficulty, to the north of Ardrossan near to the Waterside Hotel.

The crew assembled at the lifeboat station and RNLI Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI was soon launched.

On arrival at scene, two people were located on one paddleboard that due to an offshore wind required some assistance from the crew. Both were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat before being transported to Ardrossan Harbour to the waiting Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.

With both now safely ashore, the lifeboat was able to return to Troon and was made ready for service with the assistance of the shore crew.

On Tuesday 14 July, there were two further taskings for the lifeboat crew. The first came at 11.22am when Belfast Coastguard were notified of a paddleboarder that may be in difficulty at South Beach, Troon.

The lifeboat crew began to muster at the lifeboat station to launch the RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats but prior to launch, Belfast Coastguard updated the crew that the paddleboarder was safely ashore, and no further assistance was required.

The next launch came at 2.26pm, when Belfast Coastguard were notified by Coastwatch Irvine that a Soft Inflatable Boat (SIB) may be in difficulty about 300m from the beach.

Once again, the crew pagers were activated with the volunteers launching the Shannon class all-weather lifeboat to assist. The all-weather lifeboat made best speed to Irvine and located the boat and its two occupants. All were then taken onboard the all-weather lifeboat into Irvine harbour, and were transferred to the waiting Coastguard Rescue Team.

The all-weather lifeboat then returned to Troon, where it was refuelled and made ready for service.

Following a recent rise in callouts, Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘It has been a busy start to the summer for our lifeboat volunteers, and I thank them all, and their families, for the time they provide to assist those who find themselves in difficulty along the Ayrshire coast.

‘As we enjoy some good weather and as a result see an increase in coastal activities, we would like to remind anyone planning a trip or activity at sea to enjoy themselves but to go prepared. Check weather and tides before venturing out, always wear a lifejacket or suitable flotation device for your activity and carry a means of communication. ‘Should you get into difficulty, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.’

Don’t forget to visit our RNLI lifeboat station on Saturday 18 July 2026 between 11am and 4pm for our annual station Open Day.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Limond, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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.

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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.