At 1.38pm on Saturday 16 August 2025, Troon RNLI inshore lifeboat crew were paged by Belfast Coastguard after reports a person overboard from the Troon to Brodick ferry MV Alfred.
The ferry crew had also informed the Coastguard that they had launched their Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) to recover the person.
With Ayr and Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Teams making their way to Troon, the crew of the inshore lifeboat assembled at the lifeboat station. Belfast Coastguard were then able to confirm that the person was now within the FRB which was proceeding to Troon.
With this information, the lifeboat crew made their way to the marina and met with the FRB to assist with Casualty Care until the arrival of the Coastguard Teams and Ambulance.
The casualty was then passed into the care of the Ambulance crew and the lifeboat crew returned to station.
On Sunday 17 August 2025, Belfast Coastguard once again paged the volunteer lifeboat crew at 2.16pm after reports of a missing 5-year-old on Irvine beach.
The volunteers assembled at the lifeboat station launching D class inshore lifeboat Sheena to assist Police and the Coastguard Teams from Ayr and Ardrossan.
As the lifeboat arrived on scene, the crew were informed that the child had been located safe and well, so the crew were able to return to station.
A few hours later, at 6pm the pagers were once again activated by Belfast Coastguard after reports of a possible paddleboarder in difficulty at Horse Island, Ardrossan.
With Ardrossan Coastguard Team heading to assess the situation from the shore, D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ was launched to the area.
On arrival a search was undertaken around Horse Island but with nothing found or seen from the shore, the lifeboat was stood down.
On route back to station, a further tasking was received from Belfast Coastguard reporting another paddleboarder in difficulty at South Beach, Ardrossan.
The crew were already in the vicinity and were quickly on scene where they located the paddleboarder and assisted them ashore to the Coastguard Team.
With the paddleboarder in the care of the Coastguard Team, the inshore lifeboat crew were able to return to station where the lifeboat was made ready for service with the assistance of the shore crew.
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.
