[2] Ever since its founding in 1824, the Royal National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (RNIPLS), later to become the RNLI in 1854, would award medals for deeds of gallantry at sea, even if no lifeboats were involved.

[4] In 1867, Commander Harvey, RN, of H.M. Coastguard, wrote to the RNLI requesting that a lifeboat station be established at Milford Haven, which was agreed.

[1][6] Coxswain James Watkins was awarded the RNLI bronze medal for rescuing 28 people on 26 November 1929, from the single-screw steamship Molesley, which had been caught by a sudden wind change and a poor decision by its captain.

[1][3] For over 9 hours on 5–6 August 1973, the lifeboat Richard Vernon & Mary Garforth of Leeds (ON 931) stood by the oil tanker Donna Marike, which was carrying high-octane fuel, and at risk of explosion.

For rescuing four people in gale-force winds and stormy seas, Coxswain Jeremy R. Rees was awarded the RNLI bronze medal[1] The Lady Rank was withdrawn to the Relief fleet in 2008, later to serve as ADES 20 Bicentenary BSE with the lifeboat service in Uruguay.

A declining local population has meant for 12 years, the crew is primarily from Milford Haven, and transported to the station when called.

[9] On 31 July 2024, a six-month trial was announced, with the Angle lifeboat operating from the port authority jetty at Milford Haven.

Two lifeboat crew members and the honorary secretary were each awarded the RNLI Silver Medal, including Thomas Rees, who would later become Coxswain.

The Loch Shiel was carrying goods from Scotland to Adelaide and included gunpowder, beer,[11] and 7,500[12] (some say 7,000)[13] cases of Glasgow whisky.