During the 1960s the RNLI deployed inflatable ILBs at places around the coast where a quick response to increasing numbers of leisure boats and water users could not be made by larger all-weather lifeboats (ALBs) at stations established to serve commercial shipping.

Mudeford Quay, at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour, was selected as a suitable place and a small inflatable boat provided.

As early as 1970, Mudeford was one of the stations used to trial a new Atlantic 21-class rigid-hulled inflatable lifeboat, B-500.

[3] In 1988 the crew facilities were improved, and Mudeford received a new type of boat, an Atlantic 21-class (B-529), 18 years after the class had first been trialed.

This is rendered and has a tile roof; large first floor windows at both ends give views across the water.