This lifeboat was built between 1920 and 1921, at the Shipyard of the Shipwreck Relief Institute, in Pedrouços - Oporto, according to a Danish plan; she was named 'Vasco da Gama' in honour of the illustrious Portuguese navigator who discovered the Maritime Route to India in 1498. It was clinker-built and was equipped with 10 oars because, originally, it didn't have an engine and was only propelled by oars.
She entered service in 1932 to be used in maritime rescue missions and operated until August 1976. In 1955, she was equipped with a 10HP engine to travel faster at sea and have a better performance when carrying out her missions. She served in Sines, Fuzeta, Paço de Arcos, Porto Brandão, Esposende, and Vila do Conde.
In 1979, she was offered by the Shipwreck Relief Institute to the Maritime Museum. Was delivered without her engine and accompanied by two registration documents, one for the vessel and one for the engine.