The station is one of the oldest to operate in the British Isles and has launched to many notable services.

[2] RNLI 16-23 Diamond Jubilee (ON 1303) During the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940, Lifeboat Prudential, of Ramsgate was the first little ship to the rescue.

The lifeboat left Ramsgate at 2.20 in the afternoon with Coxswain Howard Primrose Knight in command with her own crew of eight men.

They had been issued with gas masks, steel helmets and the lifeboat was loaded with four coils of grass warp and cans of fresh water for the troops.

For his 'gallantry and determination,' Coxswain Howard Knight was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.