[1] 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 15 December 1848, the Emalia was wrecked at Bannow Bay, County Wexford, whilst on passage from Istanbul to Liverpool.

14 crew were lost, but four were saved, thanks to the actions of H.M. Coastguard boatman Robin Gleeson, who was later awarded the RNIPLS Silver Medal.

Despite this, HM Treasury, who are responsible for the distribution of all assets left by a intestate person, decided to honour most of the specific bequests.

In all, the funds provided or maintained six lifeboats:[8][9] The Norwegian schooner Mexico got into difficulties during a gale on the afternoon of Friday 20 February 1914.

Lifeboats from Dunmore East, Kilmore and Wexford all came to help rescue them but the sea conditions meant they were unable to reach the island.

James Wickham and William Duggan form the Wexford crew used a skiff from the tug to reach the island and rescue the others, two at a time.

On the second trip to the island the skiff hit the rocks but the hole in the boat was stopped up by a loaf of bread that was wrapped in oilskins.

[12][13] On 28 June 1995, a meeting of the Executive Committee of the RNLI resolved to re-establish a lifeboat station at Fethard.