New Lifeboat heading for Troon RNLI lifeboat Station

Press release from the RNLI Troon Lifeboat Station

We are pleased to announce that on Sunday 4 May 2025 at 1355 we will welcome our new lifeboat, Shannon class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Roy Barker VI’ to Troon.

After being placed into the water at the lifeboats bell ringing ceremony on Tuesday 28 January at the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat Centre, our volunteers have been undergoing training on the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat and a crew will be bringing it home to Troon to take over the life saving duties from our existing RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ that arrived in Troon in 2004.

Members of the public are invited to the harbour area, to join RNLI supporters, flank lifeboat stations and our emergency service colleagues on the 4 May to watch the new lifeboat arrive at Troon for the first time.
Weather permitting, public viewing will be possible from the Ballast Bank from 1300, before the lifeboat enters the harbour at 1355, the operational number of the new lifeboat.

The Shannon class is designed to operate in the worst of sea conditions. She is a self-righting lifeboat, so she will automatically turn the right way up in the event of a capsize. With a top speed of 25 knots and a range of 250 nautical miles, this lifeboat is ideal for offshore searches and rescues in calm or rough seas. Her power means she can tow large vessels out of danger – and waterjet technology allows her to manoeuvre in shallow waters or be intentionally beached in an emergency.

Our new Shannon class lifeboat has been largely funded from the legacy of Mr Frederick Roy Barker, who was known as Roy, who left his entire estate to the RNLI, with the request that the income received from the fund be known as the Roy Barker Memorial Fund. Income from the fund has already funded three Trent class lifeboats at Alderney in the Channel Islands, Wick in Scotland, and Howth in the Republic of Ireland, a Tamar class lifeboat at The Mumbles in Wales and a Shannon at New Quay in Wales. Roy admired the dedication, skill and bravery of the volunteer crews and, indeed, their families who support them.
The kind legacy of Mr Alan Lionel Aspinall also contributed towards the completion of this new lifeboat. Mr Aspinall had a deep love and interest in boats and ships of all types and recognised the vital role that lifeboats provide to the seafaring communities.