It was during this time of expansion that the Commander of HM Coastguard at Harwich wrote to the RNLI in 1877, to suggest a lifeboat be placed at Clacton-on-Sea, which was duly agreed.

[3] On 6 September 1877, a meeting of the RNLI committee of management reported the "munificent" contribution of £4000 from the United Grand Lodge of Freemasons of England for the establishment of two lifeboat stations, to be maintained in perpetuity, in commemoration of the safe return from India, of the Most Worshipful Grand Master, H.R.H.

Damaged by gunfire, she was sent for repair after the Dunkirk evacuation, returning to be stationed at Brightlingsea, due to the demolition of the centre of Clacton Pier for wartime invasion preparations.

[1] Clacton received D-107, the first of their small high speed D-class (RFD PB16) Inshore Lifeboats (ILBs) in 1966.

The station then received a second ILB, a larger twin engine B-class (Atlantic 21) in 1984, when it was announced that the All-weather lifeboat was being withdrawn, following difficulties encountered launching due to silt.

This provided up-to-date crew facilities and storage, along with housing for both Inshore lifeboats and launch tractors.

Having been towed to the scene by the Steamer Consett, the lifeboat set anchor, and attempted to veer down to the Madeline, with no success.

[1] On the 24th April 1914, the lifeboat Albert Edward (ON 463) was called out to the aid of Government Seaplane No.79, which was forced to ditch in the sea after engine trouble.