[2] Ever since its founding in 1824, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), later to become the RNLI in 1854, would award medals for deeds of gallantry at sea, even if no lifeboats were involved.

When the schooner Margaret Young of Belfast ran aground in Irvine Bay on 25 August 1850, the Earl of Errol was launched, and rescued the Master, Mate, one boy and a passenger.

[8] On the 17 October 1874, the lifeboat and carriage was drawn through the town in procession by eight horses, after which it was formally named Isabella Frew.

[13][14] In hurricane conditions blowing from the north-west on 29 December 1894, the Irvine lifeboat Busbie was launched to the aid of the Norwegian ship Frey, in distress near Lady Isle, off Troon harbour.

Opting to land at Troon, the lifeboat was near the beach, when it was overwhelmed by large waves, and the Coxswain and 3 or 4 others were swept out of the boat.

[2][16] No evidence remains of the RNLI lifeboat house, which had been located on the current site of Irvine Beach car park.

The lifeboat on station at the time of closure, Jane Anne (ON 417) was transferred to the relief fleet, later to serve at Falmouth, before being sold out of service in September 1928, at auction to Mr E. F. Cooper for £35.