[citation needed] On the Suffolk side of the estuary at Landguard Fort there was a second lifeboat, the Orwell, which was eventually sold and converted to a yacht.

[2] After the passenger steamship SS Deutschland was wrecked on Kentish Knock on 6 December 1875, it was decided that another lifeboat was needed at Harwich.

In the years leading up to World War I, Harwich was used for the testing of new motor lifeboats which were sent to other stations.

[2][6] After a successful two-year trial period, the Margaret Graham was made a permanent fixture at Harwich, where she remained until being replaced by the John Fison in 1980.

The bow of the Speedlink Vanguard struck the European Gateway amidship, and she quickly capsized to the point where only half the starboard side of the vessel was above the water.

Numerous lifeboats and tugs responded to the scene and began rescuing passengers from the European Gateway within minutes.

[9] In 1997, Harwich acquired 17-03 Albert Brown, a Severn-class fast lifeboat built by Green Marine in 1995.

[6] In 2002, Harwich acquired the Sure and Steadfast (B-789), an B-class (Atlantic 75) second generation rigid inflatable boat (RIB).

[12] She was named on 18 May 2003 after the motto of the Boys' Brigade in recognition of the fund raising efforts for the RNLI by that organization.

[14] On 21 May 2018, the new Atlantic 85-class lifeboat Tierney Harvey & Sonny Reid (B-907) arrived in the town to a warm welcome from crowds and supporters.