New Lifeboat heading for Troon RNLI lifeboat station
New Lifeboat heading for Troon RNLI lifeboat station
Lifeboats News Release
Troon RNLI lifeboat station is pleased to announce that on Sunday 4 May 2025 at 1355 we will welcome our new lifeboat, Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI to Troon.
RNLI/Rob Park
Troon's new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Roy Barker VI
After being placed into the water at the lifeboats bell ringing ceremony on Tuesday 28 January at the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat Centre, our volunteers have been undergoing training on the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a crew will be bringing it home to Troon to take over the life saving duties from our existing RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat that arrived in Troon in 2004.
Members of the public are invited to the harbour area, to join RNLI supporters, flank lifeboat stations and our emergency service colleagues on the 4 May to watch the new lifeboat arrive in Troon for the first time.
Weather permitting, public viewing will be possible from the Ballast Bank from 1300, before the lifeboat enters the harbour at 1355, the operational number of the new lifeboat.
The Shannon class is designed to operate in the worst of sea conditions. She is a self-righting lifeboat, so she will automatically turn the right way up in the event of a capsize. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, this lifeboat is ideal for offshore searches and rescues in calm or rough seas. Her power means she can tow large vessels out of danger – and waterjet technology allows her to manoeuvre in shallow waters or be intentionally beached in an emergency.
Our new Shannon class lifeboat has been largely funded from the legacy of Mr Frederick Roy Barker, who was known as Roy, who left his entire estate to the RNLI, with the request that the income received from the fund be known as the Roy Barker Memorial Fund. Income from the fund has already funded three Trent class lifeboats at Alderney in the Channel Islands, Wick in Scotland, and Howth in the Republic of Ireland, a Tamar class lifeboat at The Mumbles in Wales and a Shannon at New Quay in Wales. Roy admired the dedication, skill and bravery of the volunteer crews and, indeed, their families who support them.
The kind legacy of Mr Alan Lionel Aspinall also contributed towards the completion of this new lifeboat. Mr Aspinall had a deep love and interest in boats and ships of all types and recognised the vital role that lifeboats provide to the seafaring communities.
Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘The arrival of the new lifeboat is the culmination of huge efforts by the RNLI, the volunteer lifeboat crew and RNLI supporters.
‘We would love to see as many of our supporters welcome our new Shannon lifeboat to Troon on Sunday 4 May 2025. It will a great sight to see our new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI arrive in Troon for the first time.’
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.
