Larne History

1994 The RNLI established an inshore lifeboat (ILB) station. The D class lifeboat Michel Philippe Wolvers was placed on service on 26 September for a one year evaluation period and it was kept in a building belonging to HM Coastguard in Olderfleet Road.

1996  A Waveney class all weather lifeboat, William and Jane, was placed on temporary station duty on 19 March.

The station’s permanent D class lifeboat, Jean and Paul, was placed on service on 8 June. This lifeboat was provided from the generous gift from Mrs Jean Cudby of Belfast in memory of her husband.

1997 Permanent shore facilities were provided, including crew changing facilities and housing for the ILB, boarding boat and Land Rover.

1998  The Waveney class lifeboat was withdrawn from service and was then sold to the Royal New Zealand Coastguard Federation.

The Arun class lifeboat Hyman Winstone was placed on service on 11 November.

2000 The Trent class lifeboat, ON-1246 Dr John McSparran, was placed on service on 3 August. This lifeboat 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, and other gifts from local supporters. Dr John McSparran lived and worked as a family doctor in the coastal villages of Glenarm and Carnlough, 15 miles from Larne.

A new float berth for the all weather lifeboat was completed in May.

2005  The new D class lifeboat, D-646 Hannahbella Ferguson, was placed on service on 4 August.