The Padstow Harbour Association for the Preservation of Life and Property from Shipwreck was founded at a public meeting on 11 November 1829.

[3] The lifeboats were often taken overland to alternative launch sites, either because the weather prevented crossing the Doom Bar, or to be nearer to the ship to be aided.

[9] Silting around Hawker's Cove and the Doom Bar made it increasingly difficult to reach the sea, so a new boathouse was built at Trevose Head, on the coast to the west of Padstow.

Five of the lifeboat crew (Daniel Shea, William Intross, Thomas Varco, Andrew Truscott and Michael Crennel) drowned after it capsized.

RNLB Arab was anchored by the ketch and running out the cable to get closer when a large wave hit the boat, swamping it and breaking 9 of its 10 oars.

The first silver medal awarded at Padstow was to W Giles for his part in the rescue of 4 people from a ship that was aground on the Doom Bar on 29 November 1833.

The Harbour Association's lifeboat succeeded in saving three men on 30 November 1836 after two vessels collided and ran aground.

Another silver medal was awarded to Coastguard Chief Officer Joseph Mortley for his part in using the rocket apparatus to rescue people from a ship aground on the Doom Bar on 31 March 1841.

Daniel Shea was awarded a silver second-service clasp after entering the sea in an attempt to rescue the crew of a ship aground near Trevose Head on 22 January 1860.

William Hills was in charge of the lifeboat on this occasion and was also awarded a silver medal; 17 men being saved from the Juliet of Greenock.

[11] The first silver medal at Padstow in the twentieth century was awarded to William Baker for leading a double rescue on 12 November 1911.

The tired lifeboat crew were unable to reach the grounded vessel so returned to the station for fresh hands.

William Baker also received a bronze medal for leading the rescue on 11 February 1928 of 18 men from the SS Taormina despite sea conditions making it difficult to get past the Doom Bar.

[7] William Orchard took the RLNB Princess Mary into heavy surf on 23 November 1944 to save 7 people from the steamer Sjofna.

John Murt was given a silver medal for rescuing 10 from the Kedah on 12 August 1946 after 7 hours at sea in 'almost impossible conditions' during which the lifeboat was damaged.

The RNLB Joseph Hiram Chadwick went to the aid of the fishing boat Deo Gratias after it lost its rudder in a storm.

Anthony Warnock and Trevor England were awarded silver medals for this difficult rescue which was performed dangerously close to rocks at Dinas Head.

The Padstow Lifeboat was one of many that were in service on 14 and 15 August 1979 when the yachts taking part in the Fastnet Race were overcome by an unexpected storm.

A silver second-service clasp was awarded to Trevor England when the lifeboat attended the Greek cargo ship Skopelos Sky which was being blown ashore at Port Quinn in a force 10 storm on 15 December 1979.

[10] A 'Framed Letter of Thanks signed by the Chairman' was sent to the crew after the RNLB James Burrough stood by the cargo vessel Secil Japan which had grounded on rocks in Deadman's Cove on 12 March 1989.

For this lengthy double service, Alan Tarby was presented with 'Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum' and Luke Chown and Christopher Murphy, who had gone aboard the Coresande, were given 'Framed Letters of Thanks signed by the Chairman'.

[11] The current lifeboat station was designed by Poynton Bradbury Wynter Cole with Haskoning UK acting as consulting engineers.