There has been a lifeboat stationed in Mounts Bay since 1803, when a station was opened at Penzance. This station remained open until 1917, although it lapsed between 1828 - 1851. In 1908 an additional lifeboat station was opened at Newlyn but this was only maintained until 1913when it was closed. The closing of the Newlyn station saw the opening of the Penlee station in 1913 at Penlee Point.

In April 1947 the Warship "HMS Warspite" untertow on her way to the breakers yard ran aground in Mounts Bay. In 30ft breaking seas all eight men on board the "HMS Warspite" were rescued by the Penlee Lifeboat "W&S". For this outstanding rescue Coxswain Edwin Madron was awarded the Silver medal and Mechanic Johnny Drew was awarded the Bronze medal.

On 19 December 1981 the Penlee lifeboat "Solomon Browne" was lost with all hands in hurricane condition while going to the aid of the Coaster "Union Star" which had engine failure and was being swept towards the southern coast of Cornwall. The coaster was also lost and there were no survivors. Coxswain William Trevelyan Richards was posthumously awarded the Institution's Gold medal while the remainder of the crew, Second Coxswain/Mechanic Nigel Brockman, Emergency Mechanic John Blewett, crew members Charles Greenhaugh, Kevin Smith, Barrie Torrie and Gary Wallis were posthumously awarded Bronze medals.

On the 6th December 1994 the fishing vessel "Julian Paul" had fouled her propeller to the west of Longships in storm force conditions. Both the Sennen Cove and the Penlee Lifeboat "Mabel Alice" were launched to assist the fishing vessel and during a joint operation in severe conditions, the "Julian Paul" was eventually towed back to Newlyn. In recognition of their fine seamanship' leadership and meritorious conduct both Coxswain/Mechanic Neil Brockman of the Penlee Lifeboat and Coxswain/Mechanic Terry George of the Sennen Cove lifeboat were awarded Bronze medals.

In 1990 a D class Lifeboat Station was established on St Michaels MOunt, and in the following years a number of valuable services were carried out. In 2001 an Atlantic 75 class inshore lifeboat was sent to newlyn and following successful trials was confirmed as fully operational with the D class Station on St Michaels Mount being closed at the end of the 2001 summer season. On the 12th September 2002 the Atlantic 75 lifeboat "Paul Alexander" was places on service at Penlee to complement the cover already provided by the all-weather lifeboat.

Atlantic 75 Class Lifeboats

Every year increasing numbers of people use the sea for pleasure sailing, cruising, boardsailing or simply swimming. this has created an increased demand on the lifeboats of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and led to the development of the iNshore Lifeboat fleet during the late 60's and early 70's.

The Atlantic Class takes its name from Atlantic College in Wales where it was first developed. It has GRP hull with inflatable sponsons and a rollbar assembly above two outboard engines on the stern.

The 7.5m Atlantic 75 Class lifeboat is powered by twin 70hp outboard engines and has a top speed of over 30 knots being able to remain on service for at least three hours. The three man crew sit on seats on a central consol. Equipment includes a VHF radio, GPS Chart Plotter, first aid kit, Oxygen kit.