[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.

On 20 March 1847, the brig Halifax, on passage from Peru to Cork, was driven ashore from her anchorage in Ardbear Bay, near Clifden.

A C-class (Zodiac Grand Raid IV) was placed on station on 15 March 1988, on a one-year evaluation period.

[1][2] In 2000, the crew of two, a dog, and the yacht Cicada were saved, a service carried in very strong winds off Fahy Point.

[1] The latest version of the Atlantic-class lifeboat, the B-class (Atlantic 85), replaced Benjamin Dowing Fairbridge at Clifden on 26 June 2013.

[6] Following a coastal review by the RNLI, it was decided to place an All-weather lifeboat at Clifden, initially for a trial and evaluation period of one-year.

Even before arriving on station, the lifeboat had carried out its first call, whilst on passage to Ireland, responding to a Coastguard alert, and escorting a small fishing vessel into Newlyn.

The lifeboat had been funded in two ways, firstly, from the legacy of Mr Christopher Harris, and secondly, from the donations received to place 10,000 names within the numbers on the boat, known as the "Launch-a-Memory" campaign.