New £2.7m Shannon class lifeboat arrives at Larne RNLI to replace Trent class Dr John McSparran

‘Machiko Nancy‘ – a new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat to serve with Larne RNLI (Image: Jason Bain / RNLI)

A new £2.7 million Shannon class lifeboat has arrived at Larne RNLI, marking a significant milestone for the County Antrim station as it prepares to replace its long-serving Trent class lifeboat, Dr John McSparran.

The state-of-the-art all-weather lifeboat reached Larne at 1358hrs (1.58pm) on Sunday 15 February — timed to coincide with the number displayed on its hull. The vessel will be named Machiko Nancy at a special ceremony and service of dedication later this year.

Crowds gather to welcome lifeboat to Larne

Supporters gathered at two vantage points to witness the Shannon class lifeboat’s arrival — first near the Chaine Memorial Tower and then at East Antrim Boat Club.

Larne RNLI described it as “wonderful to see so many supporters in attendance yesterday, helping us celebrate and welcome this significant addition to the station”.

The station extended its thanks to Redbay RNLI, Donaghadee RNLI, Bangor RNLI, The Port of Larne and East Antrim Boat Club, as well as others who assisted on the day. Their support helped ensure the arrival was both safe and memorable for volunteers and the local community.

For many residents along the Larne coast, the lifeboat’s arrival represents the next chapter in a lifesaving service that has been at the heart of the town for generations.

Replacing 25 years of service

The new Shannon class lifeboat will replace the Trent class lifeboat Dr John McSparran, which has served off the Larne coast for the past quarter of a century.

During that time, the vessel and its volunteer crew have responded to countless emergencies at sea, providing critical assistance to those in danger in local waters.

The introduction of the Shannon class lifeboat marks a technological upgrade for the station. Larne RNLI volunteers have been undertaking extensive training in recent months to prepare for the transition from a Trent to a Shannon class vessel.

Training will now continue in Larne before the lifeboat officially goes on service and is formally declared a search and rescue asset in the near future.

Lifeboat funded in memory of Machiko Nancy

The Shannon class lifeboat has been largely funded by donor Michael Cameron through the Cameron Family Charitable Foundation. The vessel will be named Machiko Nancy in memory of his late wife, one of the founders of the charity.

Michael Cameron was present in Larne to see the lifeboat arrive at its new home.

Machiko Nancy was born in Vancouver, Canada, in August 1954 and was of Japanese-Canadian heritage. In November 1980, she married Michael, who was working in Vancouver at the time. The couple moved to the West Midlands in 1989, where they developed their careers.

A qualified accountant in both Canada and in England and Wales, she worked as a business manager before retiring in 2010. In retirement, she devoted her time to gardening and dancing. Following a short illness, she passed away at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in September 2020.

Speaking about the naming of the lifeboat, Michael Cameron said:

“Throughout her life, she lived according to the samurai attributes accredited to her family. These comprise independence, determination, ambition, strength, reliability and professionalism. She also strived to help others throughout her life and is still much missed by the many whose lives she touched.

“All of this strikes a chord with the RNLI’s mission to save lives at sea and the naming of this lifeboat is more than an appropriate tribute to her memory.”

Strengthening lifesaving services on the County Antrim coast

The arrival of the Shannon class lifeboat ensures that Larne RNLI volunteers will continue to respond to emergencies with modern, high-performance equipment designed for challenging sea conditions.

As preparations continue before the vessel is formally declared operational, the new lifeboat stands as both an investment in future lifesaving capability and a lasting tribute to a life dedicated to helping others.