Captain of the Parish of Lonan, Steve Carter was listed in the Kings’ Birthday Honours in June 2024 for ‘Outstanding services to maritime safety and the community on the Isle of Man.’
Steve had long had an interest in the sea and boats, in fact whilst still at school he built his first boat using spare bits of timber and hardboard. Not the best material and after its launch in Douglas Harbour it soon made its way to the bottom. His father was impressed with his son’s enthusiasm and bought him a small dinghy with an outboard motor. Steve’s school summer holidays were spent helping with the motor launches that plied between the shore at Douglas and Port Soderick. Leaving school he had a quick succession of jobs as a newspaper journalist, police officer and a self-employed agricultural contractor using vintage machinery and then adding vintage cranes to his collection of vehicles.
He set up the Laxey Towing Company and had two tugs which were regularly used in Douglas Harbour to help shipping berth and also pulling barges carrying cargos or sludge from dredging the harbours with his cranes. Eventually he was the owner of the 'Karina' a pleasure craft undertaking trips around the Manx coast and used for corporate entertaining.
In 1994 he was appointed the Island’s only Marine Pilot to supervise the navigation, positioning and berthing of a wide selection of ships. During his 29 years of service (retiring in 2023) it is estimated that he was involved in 4,500 vessel movements at all hours during the day to suit the tides. He was also involved in searches for missing vessels and personnel in Manx waters. He assisted and advised in the raising of the ‘Solway Harvester’ in 2000 when all hands of the 7 crew were tragically lost. Away from the sea he was a Lonan Parish Commissioner for 10 years and Chairman for two terms. He is a trustee of Laxey and Lonan Heritage Trust and a long-time supporter , with his wife Christine, of the Lonan and Laxey Anti-Cancer Association.
Steve received his medal at Buckingham Palace on 18th December 2024 from The Princess Royal who happens to be the Patron of an organisation called Maritime UK which is a collective voice for the various sectors of UK Maritime Industries.
After receiving his medal Steve was photographed with his family inside the palace. Recipients are permitted three guests so Steve brought his wife and two daughters. Left to right: Fenella (daughter), Christine (wife), Steve, Victoria (daughter).
