In February 2004, the new Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat arrived in Troon for the first time after a week’s training for some of the lifeboat crew at the RNLI Headquarters in Poole.
This lifeboat was funded through the generous gifts of The Moffat Charitable Trust, Miss I F Harvey’s Charitable Trust, Mr A Boyd Tunnock, MBE and other monies raised through
The Lifeboats of the Clyde Appeal.
A few months later the official naming and dedication ceremony took place in June 2004. The event, attended by invited guests and supporters, saw the formal handover of the lifeboat into the care of crew and the station.
During her time on service at Troon the Trent class lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat carried out over 770 callouts, saved 17 lives and aided 443 people.
A notable callout took place on 14 January 2015 when the Trent class launched alongside Girvan lifeboat when a 140-tonne trawler had fouled its propeller six miles off Troon in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. The impressive team work of Girvan and Troon lifeboats saved four people from a perilous situation, while also ensuring their own crews stayed safe. Following this callout a Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum was presented to Coxswains Joe Millar and Gary McGarvie onboard Girvan lifeboat.
Jim Redmond, Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said, ‘As we say goodbye to the Trent class all-weather lifeboat
RNLB Jim Moffat, we’re grateful that she served the volunteer crew throughout her time at Troon lifeboat station.
'The arrival of Trent class lifeboat back in 2004 marked a new chapter for the station so there's a sadness to see her go.
'As technology moves on, our new Shannon class lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI is a brilliant asset for the station. Her advanced technology and greater manoeuvrability will greatly enhance our life saving capability at Troon marking the start of the next chapter for all at the lifeboat station.'
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.
