Aberdeen History
1802 Aberdeen lifeboat station was established by the Harbour Commissioners and was one of the earliest stations in Scotland.
1825 A Gold Medal was awarded to Lieut Randall RN for rescuing four crew from the ship Devoran.
1830 Two Silver Medals were awarded for the rescue of 14 people from the smack Fame driven ashore in the bay.
1834 A second Gold Medal was awarded to Lieut Randall RN for a service to the Wanderer.
1844 A Silver Medal was awarded to James Robinson for rescuing 11 people from the brigantine Newcastle.
1925 The RNLI took over the control of the lifeboat station from the Harbour Commissioners.
1936 A Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Thomas Sinclair for rescuing two crew from the trawler George Stroud that went aground on Christmas Day 1935.
1937 January: When the River Dee flooded the lifeboat was called out to rescue three people from a farmhouse. The coxswain took the lifeboat stern first through the front door.
January: one Silver Medal, two Bronze Medals and five Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded for the rescue of seven crew from the steamer Fairy. One man fell between the steamer and the lifeboat and was promptly grabbed by John Masson, who saved the man's life at the risk of being dragged overboard himself.
November: one Silver Medal and two Bronze Medals were awarded for a service to the trawler Roslin.
1953 Coxswain George Flett was awarded the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum when the lifeboat rescued four crew and saved the fishing boat Trustful III.
1956 Coxswain George Flett was awarded a second Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum for commanding the lifeboat during the rescue of the crew of 11 from the trawler Sturdee.
1968 Along with the all weather lifeboat, Aberdeen lifeboat station became an inshore lifeboat station. A D class lifeboat arrived at the station in August.
1974 Silver Medals were awarded to Coxswain Albert William Bird and Mechanic Ian Jack and The Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum were awarded to Assistant Mechanic George Walker and Crew Members F Cruickshank and A Walker for the rescue of 12 crew from the fiercely burning trawler Netta Croan.
1976 Second Coxswain Charles Begg was awarded a Bronze Medal and the Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum was awarded to Motor Mechanic Ian Jack for rescuing five crew from the fishing vessel Karemma.
1980 An S-61N helicopter, which had ditched five miles out, was towed into Aberdeen Harbour by the lifeboat BP Forties.
1993 A Letter of Appreciation was presented after an eight-hour rescue when the lifeboat navigated immersed cars, small trees and barbed wire fences, to rescue 13 people, four cats, one dog and a wild rabbit from a flooded caravan park at Lower Deeside.
1997 A new shore facility and D class boathouse were completed in July.
2000 The new Severn class lifeboat ON-1248 Bon Accord was placed on service on 20 July. This lifeboat was funded as a result of the Aberdeen Lifeboat Appeal together with the generous bequest of Miss Janette Reid Gordon and other gifts and legacies.
2002 A 200th anniversary Vellum was awarded to the station.
Station honours
At Aberdeen lifeboat station the following awards have been made:
Thanks of the Institution Inscribed on Vellum 11
Bronze Medal 6
Silver Medal 7
Gold Medal 2
