150 years of Troon lifeboat
Volunteers mucked in to help haul a 2.1 ton historic lifeboat as a town celebrated 150 years of saving lives at sea.
Players from Marr Rugby Club and scout groups helped Troon RNLI toast its milestone late after last year’s bash was axed due to Covid.
The huge William Riley lifeboat, which dates back to 1909 and served Whitby, was hauled through the streets to re-enact how the town’s first lifeboat would have been launched in 1971. The event on Saturday, July 16 kicked off with rugby club members pulling the iconic boat from North Shore Road, through the town, onto the South Beach Esplanade.
Crowds gathered to watch the iconic boat being pulled with the parade fronted by 1st Troon Boys’ Brigade Pipe band as it weaved through the town.
At South Beach, leaders and members of the 28th Ayrshire (Troon) Scout Group, the Troon Tiger Explorer Scout Unit and the Troon Guides hauled the boat along to Titchfield Road Car Park.
Former Troon RNLI Lifeboat Coxswain Ian Johnson said: “As Troon RNLI lifeboat station celebrates its 150th anniversary, a re-enactment of the day that our first lifeboat, May Sinclair arrived in Troon in 1871 was a fitting way to start this years Open Day.
“My thanks go to the Whitby Historic Lifeboat Trust for bringing the William Riley to Troon for our Open Day and to all the local groups who assisted with the pull through Troon. It was a great sight to see the historic lifeboat being pulled through the streets of Troon.”
Following the lifeboat pull, Troon RNLI lifeboat station swung open its doors to host an Open Day.
“Families enjoyed a host of activities, including a tombola, tea room and burger stall.
Troon RNLI Lifeboat Coxswain Joe Millar said: “We were delighted to see such a large number of people in Troon today for the lifeboat pull and also visiting the lifeboat station to see the work of the RNLI.