Aberdeen Lord Provost hosts lifeboat volunteers for RNLI 200

Established in 1802, Aberdeen was one of Scotland's earliest stations. A second station followed in 1875, and by 1925, the Aberdeen lifeboat had saved 589 lives. That year, the RNLI assumed control of the lifeboats and rocket life-saving apparatus at Torry and the North Pier.

The reception, held at Aberdeen Town House on September 10, 2024, celebrated the vital contributions of Aberdeen’s RNLI volunteers, including crew members, operations teams, fundraisers and long-standing supporters.

In her opening remarks, Fiona Anderson, Aberdeen Lifeboat Chairperson, said: “For many years, Aberdeen lifeboat station has stood as a beacon of safety along our coastline. As the only city in Scotland still home to a lifeboat station, we operate two boats – Bon Accord and Buoy Woody 85N – with one mission: to save lives. The message of RNLI 200 is to commemorate, celebrate and inspire for the future. None of what we do would be possible without the tireless efforts of our volunteers.”

Founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary, the RNLI has saved over 146,000 people since its inception and has over 10,000 crew and operations volunteers across 238 stations around the UK and Ireland, with even more dedicated individuals supporting fundraising efforts. The RNLI remains a charity independent of the government, relying entirely on public donations to continue its life saving work.

At the event, the Lord Provost David Cameron presented volunteers with an antique call up bell, which was used by the lifeboat station at Footdee (Fittie). The bell was gifted by Deputy Lieutenant Graham Guyan, whose family has been involved in the local lifeboat station since its inception in 1802, at the time when Coxswains were referred to as Masters of the Lifeboat. It would be rung alongside shouts of “lifeboat, lifeboat” to alert men - often local fisherman - that the lifeboat was needed. Women and children would then pull the boat by rope and carriage into the sea before carrying the men onboard. This, the original pager, was graciously accepted by Fiona Anderson.

Reflecting on the significance of the bell, Fiona added: “This gift honours the legacy of those who came before us – the volunteers who risked their lives and the families who supported them. Just as women and children once pulled the boats out to sea after hearing the bell, today our loved ones remain our greatest support. They attend our fundraisers, stand by us when pagers go off in the dead of night, and help lift us up when times are tough.

“Without the people behind the RNLI, there would be no RNLI. This bell is a powerful reminder of our past, as we continue to save lives at sea, 24/7, 365 days a year, for another 200 years.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Aberdeen lifeboat station has been operating since 1802. To learn more about the lifeboat station visit https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/aberdeen-lifeboat-station
• Aberdeen lifeboat station operates a Severn class all-weather lifeboat, Bon Accord, and D class inshore lifeboat, Buoy Woody 85N.

RNLI media contacts (in order of contact)

• Jamee Kirkpatrick, (Volunteer) Lifeboat Press Officer -Aberdeen, 07521304409, [email protected]
• Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
• Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
• RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.