Troons  Lifeboats

1871: Mary Sinclair
On Thursday 3rd January 1871,the first lifeboat to be based at Troon was the 32ft long open wooden boat called Mary Sinclair. She was built in Carlisle, powered by 10 double banked oars and was under the command of Coxswain John Boyd. It was not until the 21st October 1874 until she carried out her first lifesaving service when five men were rescued off the Brigantine Dredger "Belle Star" of Yarmouth.
Launches: 8
Lives Saved: 10

1886: ON88 - Alexander Munnoch
This 34foot boat was the first self-righting lifeboat at Troon station. She was under the command of Coxswain John Mackie and was provided by the legacy of Alexander Munnoch of Crunzett who was an eccentric philanthropist and a regular visitor to Troon.
Launches: 3
Lives Saved: 6

1889: ON309 - Charles Skirrow
Coxswains Bryce McCallum then James MacCaull took charge of the third lifeboat to be placed on station at Troon but this boat was never called upon during her five years of service.

1904: Busbie
This was the first lifeboat to be permanently moored afloat within the harbour at Troon due to the unsatisfactory and timely nature of launching previous lifeboats. William MacAuslane took over as coxswain in 1920.
Launches: 6
Lives Saved: 3

1929: ON723 - Sir David Richmond of Glasgow
This Watson Class vessel was the first motor powered lifeboat to arrive at Troon and was moored next to the newly constructed lifeboat station on the Shipbreakers breakwater quay. She was the first Troon boat to participate in Silver Medal Service when she was called to the assistance of a stricken Belfast Steamer "Moyallon" in trouble off Dunure. Coxswain William MacAuslane was awarded the silver medal in recognition of his courage and seamanship. Sadly the first life lost by Troon Lifeboat station was aboard this boat when the death of Thomas Warren was attributed to exposure encountered during a passage from the Isle of Wight to Troon.
Launches: 71
Lives Saved: 101

1955: ON909 - James and Barbara Aitken
Another Watson Class lifeboat was next to be placed on station and was provided by a legacy of Miss Agnes Aitchison of Dorking and Mrs. Agnes Aitken and her husband of Lancashire. She was initially commanded by Coxswain Arthur Pearce who was later succeded by Coxswain John Reilly and Coxswain William Young. At the end of her service life in the RNLI, James and Barbara Aitken became the pilot boat at Peterhead.
Launches 91
Lives Saved: 32

1968: ON1006 - Connel Elizabeth Cargill
Coxswain William Dent took command of Troons' new Waveney Class lifeboat which was powered by twin Cummings Diesel Engines giving the 44 foot boat a top speed of 13 knots. This type of boat was built at Brookes Marine Yard in Lowestoft and was modelled on a design developed by the US Coast Guard. She is now repainted and in service with the Australian Volunteer Lifeboat Service where she covers an area of coast just to the north of Sydney.

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