The Michael Stephens ON838, a former Lowestoft lifeboat, played a significant role during the evacuation at Dunkirk on 1 June 1940. Amidst the chaos of naval and civilian vessels maneuvering under shellfire and dive-bombing, the Michael Stephens ferried soldiers from the shattered pier and beaches to larger ships in deep water. During these operations, the vessel was twice rammed by motor torpedo boats in the darkness. Upon returning to Dover, the Michael Stephens carried fifty-two soldiers.

Built by J Samuel White at Cowes, the Michael Stephens and her sister ship, the Gorleston lifeboat Louise Stephens, were purchased with a family legacy. The vessel served at Lowestoft for 24 years, followed by five years at Exmouth, and then seven years in the reserve fleet before being sold out of service in 1975. Throughout her operational career, the Michael Stephens was launched 182 times and credited with saving 92 lives, excluding her Dunkirk service.

In 1976, Charles and Elizabeth Cave discovered the vessel at Crosshaven, County Cork, Ireland. The Michael Stephens has been preserved with her original above-deck structure, including the original Ferry Diesels and controls. Below deck, she was converted for cruising and has since visited ports in Holland, Normandy, Brittany, Ireland, and various locations around the coasts of England, including the Isles of Scilly.

In 1995, after a thirty-two-year absence, the Michael Stephens returned to Lowestoft, where she was received with great ceremony. Even in retirement, the vessel has been involved in several rescues, demonstrating her enduring capability and legacy.