The Tjerck Hiddes was funded through a campaign by the newspaper De Telegraaf, marking the 150th anniversary of the K.N.Z.H.R.M. in 1974. The lifeboat is named after the Frisian admiral Tjerck Hiddes de Vries (1622-1666). The Tjerck Hiddes is a genuine IJsselmeer vessel; these types were specially developed for the IJsselmeer region.

Due to the increase in pleasure boating, the K.N.Z.H.R.M. sought a new type of lifeboat. They opted for a vlet that was easy to maneuver, had a spacious workspace, and was seaworthy with a shallow draft. On 18 December 2003, the Tjerck Hiddes was added to the sailing collection of the National Rescue Museum.