[3] 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.

"..circumstances having occurred which showed the necessity of placing an additional life-boat on this dangerous part of the coast, for service to vessels which might be wrecked on the shoals off the entrance to the harbour.

A good crew can always be depended on for the boat, there being plenty of Coastguardmen on the watch-vessel at the mouth of the harbour, and at the adjacent coastguard station on shore.

On 20 June 1867, fully crewed, the lifeboat was drawn on its carriage in grand procession from Chichester railway station to Bosham church, where a large crowd had assembled to greet the boat.

[2][7] In July 1872, the lifeboat was launched to the aid of the brig Hope of Portsmouth, at anchor 2 miles (3.2 km) off the mouth of the harbour, indicating distress signals.