[3] At daybreak on Saturday 19 September 1885, just the top portion of a ship's mast was spotted above the water, off Mossbay Point, between Harrington and Workington.

At a ceremony at the shore, south of the pier, the lifeboat was named the Dodo (ON 79), in accordance of the wishes of Miss Harrison, the lady donor from London.

In what would be her last assignment, already now 26-years-old, a 45-foot Watson-class non-self-righting lifeboat named The Brothers (ON 671) was placed at Workington, serving for 4 years until her retirement.

[3][7] In March 1953, Workington received the Manchester and Salford XXIX (ON 841), a 10-year-old 46-foot Watson-class non-self-righting lifeboat, which had previously served at Pwllheli.

[8] At 21:25 on the 27 January 1974, the relief lifeboat City of Edinburgh (ON 802) was launched in extremely rough conditions, to the fishing vessel Kia Ora, broken down off Hestan Island, in Auchencairn Bay, and dragging her anchor.

At the same time, a two-year-old relatively new carriage-launched Mersey-class lifeboat from the relief fleet was placed at Workington, on trial from 4 July 1990 until 3 January 1991, to evaluate shore launches and recovery.

To accommodate the boat, a new boathouse was constructed on the quay at the Prince of Wales Dock, with a workshop, drying room, shower/toilet facilities, a fuel storage tank and crew-room.

In a unique method of launching an All-weather lifeboat in the UK, the boat is set on a rail carriage in the boathouse.

[1][3] On 7 December 2011, the fishing vessel George Lou-N suffered engine problems, and was being smashed against the North Pier, in very rough conditions and a force 10 gale, and with a severely injured man on board.