Larne Lifeboat Station History

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Despite several investigations into the possible placement of a lifeboat at Larne through the years, it was March 1994 following yet another investigation by the Committee of Management before the decision was taken to establish a lifeboat station in Larne Harbour.

The D class inshore lifeboat Michel Philippe Wolvers (D-326) was placed on station in September 1994 for a one year evaluation.  After these trials Larne obtained its own D class inshore lifeboat, the Jean and Paul (D-499), in June 1996.  This lifeboat was provided from the generous gift from Mrs Jean Cudby of Belfast in memory of her husband.

An all weather lifeboat was placed on station at Larne in March 1996 and it was Waveney class lifeboat William and Jane (44-022) ON 1079 which had the honour of being the first all weather lifeboat to see service at Larne.  Built in 1982, William and Jane had exclusively served at Blyth lifeboat station until 1995. 

William and Jane was replaced in November 1998 by the larger Arun class lifeboat Hyman Winstone (52-15) ON 1067.  After being replaced at Larne, William and Jane was sold from the RNLI fleet to the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation.

Hyman Winstone remained in service at Larne until September 2000 when she was replaced by the brand new Trent class lifeboat Dr John McSparran (14-30) ON 1246.  Hyman Winstone was later sold for further service as a lifeboat in Funchal after her withdrawal from the RNLI fleet.

Dr John McSparran was funded from the generous bequest of Miss Margaret McSparran in memory of her brother Dr John Gerard McSparran together with other gifts and legacies from Mrs Arabella Frances Maud Cripps, Miss Susan Cochrane McCully together with gifts from local supporters.  It was particularly apt that Larne should receive this lifeboat as Dr John McSparran lived and worked as a family doctor in the coastal villages of Glenarm and Carnlough only a mere 15 miles from Larne.

Evolution in inshore lifeboat technology has led to the development of a new more powerful and better equipped version of the long serving D-class.  A member of this new inshore lifeboat fleet was allocated to Larne station and in August 2005 the new Hannahbella Ferguson (D-646) was placed on station replacing Jean and Paul.  The construction of Hannahbella Ferguson was funded by a legacy from Mr Robert Ferguson Hawkins who emigrated to Canada from Islandmagee.

The combination of Trent class all weather lifeboat Dr John McSparan and the D-class inshore lifeboat Hannahbella Ferguson look set to serve Larne station well for the foreseeable future.

Trent Class Lifeboat Dr John McSparran at Red Bay open day on 14/8/04.

D-Class Inshore Lifeboat Jean and Paul at Larne on 14/4/05.

Relief Trent Class lifeboat Corinne Whiteley (14-32) at Larne Harbour on 19/10/03