Yacht aground callout for Troon RNLI crew following recent assessments
Yacht aground callout for Troon RNLI crew following recent assessments
Lifeboats News Release
On Wednesday 22 July 2026, the crew pagers were once again activated at 2.53pm by Belfast Coastguard following reports of a yacht on the rocks at Ardrossan Harbour. Also tasked was the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team
The yacht aground with the D class inshore lifeboat.
The volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew left their work and their homes to attend at the lifeboat station to launch the stations D class inshore lifeboat
Sheena and Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI.
On arrival at Ardrossan, the D class inshore lifeboat made its way into the shallow water to the casualty vessel which was confirmed to be aground.
After consultation with those onboard, the two crew were taken from the yacht onto the inshore lifeboat before being transferred by the all-weather lifeboat into Clyde Marina Ardrossan to the waiting Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
The yacht was left in situ for recovery at a later time.
The lifeboats were then stood down by Belfast Coastguard and made their way back to Troon harbour where they were made ready for service with the assistance of the shore crew.
Congratulations go to our volunteer RNLI crewmembers Sarah Shackleton and Becca Coull who were the inshore lifeboat crew on this callout with D class helm Paul Alexander. Both Sarah and Becca recently successfully completed assessments conducted by our RNLI coastal assessor Alistair Young on our D class inshore lifeboat. Becca passed out as a Tier 1 crewmember, and as a result this was her first callout on the inshore lifeboat, while Sarah was signed off as Tier 2 crew.
The RNLI Operational Competency Framework provides volunteers with a clear and structured pathway, supporting crewmembers from initial training through to ultimately becoming a fully qualified helm. Achieving Tier 1 is a significant initial milestone for any volunteer lifeboat crewmember as it covers the core skills a crewmember needs to operate safely and effectively as part of the lifeboat crew, both at sea and on shore. Progressing to the next step, a Tier 2 pass out, means the volunteer crew member is fully trained for that class of lifeboat.
Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said: “Congratulations to both Sarah and Becca on their respective achievements. Both have put in a lot of hard work over the past few months and passing their assessments reflects their commitment and dedication to reach the assessment standard.
'Congratulations also goes to Becca for her first operational tasking on the D class inshore lifeboat putting her training into action only a few days after her assessment'
RNLI/TroonLifeboat
Paul, Sarah (left) and Becca aboard the D class inshore lifeboat within Clyde Marina Ardrossan.
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.
Donate now
