CALLOUTS
At 8.46pm on Thursday 22 July 2021, Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ to assist with the evacuation of a casualty from the Ardeer side of the River Irvine.
The volunteer crew assembled, and the inshore lifeboat was quickly launched to the scene. Also tasked by Belfast Coastguard was the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
On arrival, the crew located the casualty on the shore. The casualty taken aboard the D class by the lifeboat crew and transferred to the waiting coastguard team.
With the casualty ashore with the coastguard, the inshore lifeboat returned to station where it was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.
A few hours later, at 1215am on Friday 23 July 2021, the lifeboat crew were once again paged by Belfast Coastguard after reports of a possible person in difficulty in the vicinity of Saltcoats harbour.
The crew woke from their beds and headed to the lifeboat station launching D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ and Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ to assist Police and the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team.
A search was undertaken both on land and at sea by the lifeboat and coastguard teams but with nothing found and no further information all teams were stood down by Belfast Coastguard.
Both lifeboats then returned to station and were once again made ‘ready for service’ before the crew headed back to bed.