Norfolk Ferry was built by John Brown & Company, Clydebank as yard number 661.

A donkey engine supplied steam at 105 pounds per square inch (7.2 bar).

[5][6] On 5 July 1960, Norfolk Ferry rescued the five crew from the German yacht Tagomago, which had been dismasted in the North Sea 30 nautical miles (56 km) off Harwich.

[4] In January 1963, she twice returned to Harwich due to a 98 long tons (100 t) casting coming loose.

[8] She rescued four people on 20 September 1964 after their yacht capsized 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) off Felixstowe.