Launches & Call Outs

Thursday 16th April 2009

Lifeboats  RNLB MACQUARIE    RNLB Telford Shopping Centre       

Op. No     14-21                       D-684                        

O.N              1225                                                        

Launch Time              19:16 BST

RTS Time                21:40 BST

Wind State              S.S/E fresh breeze 4 - 5

Sea State                Moderate

Visibility                  Good/Moderate

Service Description;

Clyde Coastguard paged the RNLI All Weather Lifeboat and the RNLI Inshore Lifeboat crew this evening to go to the aid of a vessel which was taking in water and in danger of sinking, with five people onboard, approximately five miles South West of Troon, closing Lady Isle and in Need of assistance.

 Troon RNLI Lifeboats were requested to assist and located the vessel using the estimated position given and radar.  The weather was from the South east with winds blowing force 4 - 5.

Once the 40ft yacht had been located lines were successfully passed and the vessel boarded by two crew members of the RNLI All Weather Lifeboat to assess the nature of the distress.

It quickly became evident that assistance was indeed needed as the crew of the yacht had been 'bailing' water for almost an hour and were very tired.

The medical condition of all the crew members was quickly assessed and it was apparent that one of the crewmen required medical attention.  Three of the yacht crew were transferred to the RNLI All Weather Lifeboat, a 75 year old man was attended to by the crew, given oxygen and reassured as the Lifeboat made a speedy return to Troon where a Rapid Response and Ambulance teams were waiting.  During the passage a Royal Navy Medic was winched from a rescue helicopter from HMS GANNETT.

Meanwhile the yacht was still taking on water.  The two crewmen from the Lifeboat were busy using the 'Salvage Pump' which had been transferred from from the lifeboat. This kept the incoming water at bay, and so allowed the yacht to slowly make its own way to Troon Marina. The RNLI ILB kept close quarter on the yacht during the passage. The All Weather lifeboat having delivered the three yacht crew to the care of the medical teams returned to meet the ILB and escort it and the yacht to Troon Marina where the yacht was immediately hoisted from the water.

The safe and speedy launch and recovery of both RNLI Lifeboats was ably assisted by members of the RNLI Lifeboats Shore Crew.

ALB Crew – 1 – 2 - 3 - 5 - 6 – 7 - 8

ILB Crew   -11 - 19 - 20