In 1868 the residents of Wells partnered with the newly formed RNLI to set up an organised lifeboat service in the town.

At 1:00 pm, the Eliza Adams launched to the aid of another brig, the Sharon Rose, which had run ashore on the beach at nearby Holkham.

Seven sailors were rescued and the lifeboat returned to Wells, where it discovered the Ocean Queen close to the harbour entrance, flying a distress flag.

After a partial crew change, the Eliza Adams returned to sea to assist the Ocean Queen, which had been driven ashore nearby.

The crew of the Ocean Queen remained aboard their vessel, and were able to walk ashore once the storm had abated and the tide receded.

The station received a Surf-class lifeboat, the RNLB Royal Silver Jubilee (ON 780), which had been designed by James Barnett and was light enough for the beach launch required at Wells.

[12][8] Over 18 and 19 May 1963, the cabin cruiser Seamu had run aground at low tide at the entrance to Blakeney harbour.

[8] On the morning of 15 February 1979, gale force nine to ten winds were blowing blizzard conditions across the North Sea.

The Merchant Vessel Savinesti of Romania had broken down; dragging her anchor, she was in imminent danger of running aground 37 miles (60 km) south-west of Spurn Point.

The crew facilities were expanded with an additional level in 1983, and a boathouse extension was added in 1986 to house the inshore lifeboat.

[3] In 1990 the station was allocated a new Mersey-class lifeboat, the 12-003 Doris M. Mann of Ampthill (ON 1161), prompting significant alterations to the boathouse in order to accommodate it.

In the mid 1990s work was also carried out to combat coastal erosion on the sandy headland where the boat house is located.