Larne RNLI officially names new Shannon class lifeboat Machiko Nancy in honour of donor’s late wife

Larne RNLI has officially welcomed a new era in its lifesaving service after its new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat, Machiko Nancy, was formally named during a ceremony in Larne on Saturday.

The vessel, which has been on operational service since February, was dedicated during a special ceremony at East Antrim Boat Club attended by RNLI volunteers, supporters, dignitaries and the families whose generosity helped fund the lifeboat.

The naming marks a significant milestone for Larne Lifeboat Station, whose volunteers will rely on the state-of-the-art vessel for search and rescue operations around the County Antrim coastline for many years to come.

A gift that will save lives

The new lifeboat was largely funded through a donation from businessman Michael Cameron, via the Cameron Family Charitable Foundation.

Mr Cameron had the honour of naming the vessel Machiko Nancy in memory of his late wife, Machiko Cameron, one of the charity’s founders.

Born in Vancouver in 1954, Machiko Cameron was of Japanese-Canadian heritage and built a successful career as an accountant in both Canada and the UK. After retiring in 2010, she devoted her time to gardening and dancing before her death following a short illness in September 2020.

During the ceremony, Mr Cameron formally handed the lifeboat into the care of the RNLI. Chief Executive Peter Sparkes accepted it on behalf of the charity before entrusting it to Larne Lifeboat Station.

Beginning a new chapter

Accepting the lifeboat on behalf of the station, Lifeboat Operations Manager Jonathan Shirley said the volunteer crew were proud to begin a new chapter in the station’s history.

Speaking about the responsibility carried by volunteer crews, he said:

“As Lifeboat Operations Manager, it is my responsibility to authorise the lifeboat’s launch when requested, and to send a message to the crew asking them to get to the station as quickly as possible, and sometimes in weather conditions which are very inclement and where others would be returning home.”

Explaining what makes the Shannon class unique, he added:

“The Shannon is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets instead of traditional propellers, making her the most agile and manoeuvrable all-weather lifeboat in the fleet. Designed entirely in-house by a team of RNLI engineers, the RNLI harnessed cutting-edge technology to ensure the lifeboat met the demands of a 21st century search and rescue service.”

Mr Shirley also paid tribute to the station’s outgoing all-weather lifeboat.

“The Machiko Nancy replaces our all-weather Trent class lifeboat, Dr John McSparran, and we know, just like our outgoing lifeboat that served us so well over the last quarter of a century, that this new Shannon will go on to make an exemplary search and rescue asset for many years to come.”

Service of dedication

Following the formal handover, The Very Rev Fr Manuelito Milo, Revd David Lockhart and Rev Dr Colin McClure led a Service of Dedication before the lifeboat was officially named.

Family members, supporters and station volunteers watched as a traditional bottle of sake was poured over the side of the vessel before it launched, marking the conclusion of the ceremony.

Supporting the next generation of rescues

The lifeboat was also funded through a legacy from the late Dr Maureen Beryl Bruce Murray, a former GP and Chair of Croydon Hospital Trust, who admired the RNLI’s lifesaving work after experiences during the Second World War and developed a lasting affection for the charity through holidays on the Cornish coast.

The arrival of Machiko Nancy represents a major investment in the future of lifesaving off the County Antrim coast. Equipped with waterjet propulsion and modern rescue technology, it replaces a lifeboat that served Larne for 25 years and will now support the station’s volunteer crews as they respond to emergencies at sea for decades to come.

Larne RNLI has operated since 1994. During that time, its all-weather and inshore lifeboats have launched 708 times, assisted 775 people, and saved 43 lives.