In the 1800s shipowners often did not keep their vessels in good condition, knowing that if they were wrecked the owners would get recompense from the insurance for the ship and cargo. They were unconcerned at the deaths of the crew and passengers. One such shipowner is Mr Denham, who ignores the advice given by one of his captains, John Bax, to improve the condition of his ships, and the pleas of his nephew Guy for a donation to help build a lifeboat to be stationed on the Kent Coast. In the book we follow the adventures of Bax and Guy as they go to sea and also the brave crews of the lifeboats who go to sea in stormy weather to save lives.