[1] The Goodwin Sands is a treacherous 10 mi (16 km) long sandbank, located a few miles off the Kent coast, and accounts for hundreds of shipwrecks.

In 1864, marine artist Edward William Cooke had donated £200 to the RNLI towards the provision of a lifeboat in Deal, and the boat was named Van Kook as per the wishes of the donor, a reference to his Dutch patrons.

[3][4] On 1 December 1877, the Van Kook would launch to the full-rigged vessel Crusader, on passage from Québec to South Shields, and rescue 22.

Returning the old boat to London, the lifeboatmen were signalled by the crew of the Tongue Lightship, and took aboard 13 men who had survived the sinking of their vessel Albatross two days earlier.

In 1912, both Broadstairs and Walmer stations were closed, but with the outbreak of World War I, it was felt that another lifeboat may be needed to cover the Goodwin Sands.

[2] A second 40-foot lifeboat was stationed at North Deal, the Frances Forbes Barton (ON 399), and lifeboatman William Stanton was appointed coxswain.