Following the loss of the New Commercial on the Brisons in January 1851, the RNLI built a boathouse at the top of the beach in 1853 and extended it in 1864 when a larger lifeboat was sent to the station.

At the same time the boathouse was modified to take a longer Tyne-class boat, and in 2001 the roof was removed and a new one installed ready for the receipt of a taller, faster Tamar-class lifeboat.

An RNLI silver medal was awarded in 1868 to both Coxswain Nichols and Coastguard Officer S Morrison for rescuing the sole survivor of the Devon.

He later became coxswain and was awarded another bronze medal in 1964 for leading the rescue of five people from the trawler Victoire Roger which had caught fire.

In 1995 Coxswain Terence George was awarded a bronze medal for the rescue of five people from the fishing vessel Julian Paul.

To do this the Tamar-class lifeboat at Sennen Cove has an operating range of 250 nautical miles (460 km) and a top speed of 25 knots (46 km/h).