Their first lifeboat was operational from 6 October 1996, using a base at the Yacht Club's premises at Sugar Loaf Beach, to the south of the town.

[3] In 2011 the Portishead Lifeboat Trust approached the RNLI to discuss them being adopted by that organisation so as to give a more secure long-term future.

[4][5] The RNLI asked that the local community should raise £232,000 towards the costs but this was significantly exceeded when an anonymous donor came forward with £500,000.

[6][7] The Portishead Lifeboat Trust was called out more than 300 times to assist nearly 500 people, and saving 14 lives.

[1] Portishead's Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat (ILB) has a range of 3 hours and top speed of 25 kn (46 km/h).