Barry Dock Lifeboat Station was opened by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in 1901. In 1922 the station received its first motor lifeboat, and in 1973 it was provided with a second lifeboat, which was eventually withdrawn from service in 1979.

The Arun-class lifeboat was a fast all-weather lifeboat designed by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for service at its stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and Ireland. They were operated by the RNLI between 1971 and 2008. Many have been sold to see further service in the lifeboat and coastguard services of other countries.