On 11 June 1951, Princess Wilhelmina christened this motor lifeboat and named it Prins Hendrik in honor of her deceased husband, who was deeply interested in the rescue service. The Prins Hendrik is a self-righting lifeboat, meaning it automatically turns upright if capsized. From 1952 to 1969, it was stationed in Den Helder. In late 1968, the Prins Hendrik was replaced by the motor lifeboat Suzanna and served as a reserve boat for the K.N.Z.H.R.M. and later the KNRM until 1996. In 1996, the boat was added to the sailing collection of the National Rescue Museum.

The Prins Hendrik conducted 472 rescue missions, saving 728 people!