On Monday 18 August 2025, with more sunshine on the Ayrshire coast and after a busy weekend, our RNLI lifeboat crew were anticipating that it could be another busy day and at 3.29pm, the pagers rang out for the first of 4 callouts for the voluntary lifeboat crew.
RNLI/TroonLifeboat
Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI
Belfast Coastguard were contacted after a person was seen on rocks at South Beach Troon and there was a concern for his welfare. With the crew assembling, a few Casualty Care trained crewmembers headed by road in the station Land Rover to assess the situation.
On arrival, a person was traced and was assessed by the crew before being assisted by other emergency services in attendance. With this the crew were able to stand down.
With the volunteer crew preparing to head back to the station later that evening for training, dinner plans soon changed when at 5.39pm, the pagers once again rang out when Belfast Coastguard were notified about 2 persons on an inflatable in difficulty off the coast at Ayr.
The crew assembled before Shannon class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Roy Barker VI and D class inshore lifeboat
Sheena made their way to Ayr alongside Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter
Rescue 199 from Prestwick.
With the helicopter arriving on scene first, the two casualties onboard the inflatable were located, and the inshore lifeboat was directed to the scene. The casualties were taken on board before being transferred onto the all-weather lifeboat for some initial Casualty Care. On arrival at Ayr harbour the casualties were passed into the care of the Coastguard Team and the lifeboat returned to Troon.
After arriving at Troon, the crew were preparing for the evenings exercise, but at 7.07pm the pagers rang out again after Belfast Coastguard received reports of a person on an inflatable in difficulty at Ayr Beach.
Within minutes both lifeboats were heading to Ayr but on route the lifeboats were stood down by Belfast Coastguard. The lifeboats were then re-tasked further south to Greenan Castle, following reports that 2 kayakers may be in difficulty.
Both lifeboats headed to the scene with the inshore lifeboat locating the kayakers. After speaking with them it was confirmed that they didn’t require any assistance, both lifeboats were then stood down by Belfast Coastguard and were able to continue with the planned evenings exercise.
Troon Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said: “We know with the recent good weather the coast is becoming busier our advice is not to use inflatables in the sea – please save them for the pool.
'We would also remind the public, if going on the water to please wear a suitable flotation device and to ensure you have a means of calling for help should you get into difficulty.'
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.
