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Troon RNLI launches to vessel with machinery failure

Lifeboats News Release

With the sun shining along the Ayrshire coast, at 2.08pm on Saturday 10 May 2025, Belfast Coastguard paged the lifeboat crew to assist with a 26ft sailing vessel with machinery problems and now drifting to the south west of Troon harbour

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Troon RNLI lifeboat launches on service
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With pagers sounding in homes throughout Troon, the volunteer crew made their way to the lifeboat station to launch the RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat RNLB Jim Moffat.

The lifeboat was soon launched and soon had sight of the casualty vessel.

After carrying out an assessment, the vessel was taken under tow towards Troon harbour. As the lifeboat approached the harbour, the tow was stopped and the casualty vessel was able to deploy their anchor in Barassie Bay to assess the machinery problems.

The lifeboat then returned to the berth and was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

Troon RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Jim Redmond said, ‘Mechanical failure is the single biggest cause of RNLI rescue callouts to sailing and motor cruisers and with the vessel drifting 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.’

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The casualty vessel under tow
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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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok 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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