The charity operates an independent rescue service outside of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

Thomas Tunnock is an 900W Rigid Inflatable Boat built by MST (Marine Specialised Technology Ltd) based in Liverpool.

[2] A campaign to found a lifeboat station in the port was started after the sinking of the S.S. Alfred Erlandsen and the loss of crew in 1907 on rocks, known as the Ebb Carrs, near the shore of the village.

Since then the station has had a C-class, B-Class and housed the Dorothy and Katherine Barr II Atlantic 75.

[5] Following a 5-year study, the RNLI decided to replace St Abbs by supplementing the existing Trent-class lifeboat at Eyemouth, 2 miles away, with an additional D-class RIB.