Glasgow And Ships Of The Clyde

Troon lifeboat makes an emergency visit to Ardrossan with sick crewman

From "The Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald" dated Friday 21st January 1972

18th January 1972

LIFEBOAT?S EMERGENCY VISIT

Troon Lifeboat made an emergency dash to Ardrossan after a crewman complained of feeling ill during a search operation in heavy seas off the North Ayrshire coast on Tuesday.

The sick man was radio operator Tom Brownlee (24), 17 Harbour Road, Troon. He was suffering from ?severe pains? in his back and Coxswain William Dent radioed Arran coastguards to ask for an ambulance and a doctor to stand by at Ardrossan.

The lifeboat was called out early on Tuesday afternoon after red flares had been sighted two miles due west of Ardrossan by a man fishing.

The search which proved fruitless was carried out in heavy seas with the wind reaching gale force. After 2? hours the coxswain decided to call off the search and head for home but when the crewman complained of feeling ill he decided to put into Ardrossan.

The sick crew member was put ashore along with Mr Don Kinsman, the RNLI press liaison office, who went with the lifeboat on the search. A doctor was on hand to treat Mr Brownlee, who was then taken home to Troon by police car. Mr Brownlee is married and has a baby daughter.