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Joint service call for Troon and Largs RNLI lifeboat crews

Lifeboats News Release

At 18.48 on Thursday 8 February 2024, Belfast Coastguard paged the lifeboat crew of Troon RNLI lifeboat station to assist Largs RNLI with a 14m sailing vessel with machinery problems to the West of Great Cumbrae.

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Troon RNLI lifeboat and casualty yacht alongside in Troon harbour
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With pagers sounding in homes throughout Troon, the volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat station and launched Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat to assist Largs inshore lifeboat Atlantic 85 R A Wilson and the sailing vessel.

After a passage to the scene, Troon lifeboat met up with Largs lifeboat and the casualty vessel. After consultation with those onboard, a decision was made to tow the vessel back to Troon. A tow was then established with the casualty vessel by the lifeboat crew allowing Largs lifeboat to return to station.

Just after 1am, both vessels arrived back in Troon where the casualty vessel was secured alongside in the harbour by the lifeboat crew with the assistance of the Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team.

Following this, the lifeboat returned to station, where shortly before 2am the lifeboat was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew. The crew were able to return home to get a few hours sleep before they started their day jobs.

Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘Working closely with our colleagues from Largs RNLI lifeboat station, we were able to bring the casualty vessel and its crew back to the safety of Troon harbour. Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of RNLI rescue call outs to sailing and motor cruisers and those onboard did the right thing by contacting the Coastguard. If you get into difficulty at sea, always call the Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 or by dialling 999.’

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 142,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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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