The vessel Vanguard was purpose-built by the Burnham Oyster Company for oyster dredging on the East coast rivers, which are characterized by muddy, tidal, and challenging navigation conditions. Designed with a shallow draft, low freeboard, and wide decks, Vanguard provided an ideal working platform for oyster fishermen familiar with the local waters. The vessel was capable of turning within her own length, and her deck accommodated six men working comfortably to haul in nets. The deckhouse offered minimal shelter, reflecting her intended use in sheltered waters rather than the open sea, where she was known to roll heavily in conditions above force 5.

In 1940, under the command of Skipper Grimwade with Joe Clough as engineer, Vanguard participated in the Dunkirk evacuation. Alongside another oyster dredger, Seasalter, which also survived, and a ketch named Ma Joie, which was lost, Vanguard was unable to enter Dunkirk harbour. Instead, she collected troops from the beaches and returned to Ramsgate approximately 24 hours later, successfully transporting evacuees.

Following World War II, Vanguard was acquired by Keeble & Sons of Paglesham, Essex, who resumed oyster dredging operations on the rivers Roach and Crouch. The Keeble family had a fifty-year history of oyster fishing on thirty-four acres of rented oyster beds. However, the severe winter of 1962 devastated the oyster population. Although some oysters survived and continued to breed, they subsequently faced increasing threats from pollution.

Subsequently, W. Keeble sold Vanguard to Ron Pipe, a fisherman based at Burnham-on-Crouch, who used her for inshore fishing before selling her again. Approximately ten years later, Doug Whiting purchased Vanguard from another owner in poor condition. Whiting enlarged her wheelhouse, ceased oyster fishing, and converted her for shrimping on the Roach and Crouch rivers.

As of February 2018, Vanguard was recovered in poor condition from Canvey Island to Burnham-on-Crouch and became the subject of a restoration appeal. A commemorative event was scheduled for 30 May 2018, to be attended by the mayor of Burnham-on-Crouch and several vessels from the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS), coinciding with the Ipswich Commemorative Cruise and a quayside plaque ceremony in Burnham-on-Crouch.

• Previously, Vanguard had suffered fire damage caused by vandalism while laying at Canvey Island.
• The vessel had been owned by the Keeble family for many years, with historical records and blueprints available.
• There have been ongoing concerns and inquiries regarding the extent of damage and restoration efforts.