Aberdeen Lifeboat Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aberdeen Lifeboat Station |
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| General information | |
| Type | RNLI Lifeboat Station |
| Location | Victoria Dock Entrance, Waterloo Quay Aberdeen, Scotland AB11 5DF, UK |
| Country | Scotland, UK |
| Coordinates | 57°08′39″N 2°04′52″W / 57.14413°N 2.08103°W |
| Owner | Royal National Lifeboat Institution |
The Aberdeen Lifeboat Station is a special place in Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. It's run by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is a charity that saves lives at sea. This station is one of the oldest in Scotland, starting way back in 1802!
Today, the Aberdeen Lifeboat Station has two main lifeboats. One is a large Severn-class class lifeboat named Bon Accord. The other is a smaller D-class (IB1) inshore lifeboat called Buoy Woody 85N. These boats and their brave crews are ready to help people in trouble on the water.
Contents
What is a Lifeboat Station?
A lifeboat station is like a fire station, but for the sea. It's a base where lifeboats are kept and where volunteer crews are ready to launch at a moment's notice. Their main job is to rescue people who are in danger in the water, whether they are on boats, ships, or even just swimming.
The RNLI is a charity, which means it relies on donations from people to keep its stations and lifeboats running. The crews are mostly volunteers who give their time to train and go out on rescues.
The Lifeboats of Aberdeen
Lifeboats come in different shapes and sizes, each designed for specific types of rescues. The Aberdeen Lifeboat Station has used many different boats over its long history.
All-Weather Lifeboats
All-weather lifeboats are big, strong boats that can handle rough seas and bad weather. They are designed to go far out into the ocean and stay out for a long time if needed.
- Early Boats: When the station first started in 1802, it used boats powered by oars. These were run by the Harbour Commission. Over time, they got "self-righting" boats, which meant they could flip themselves back upright if they capsized.
- Motorized Boats: In the 1920s, the station started using motorized lifeboats like the William Roberts and Emma Constance. These boats were much faster and more powerful.
- Modern Boats: The station has used several modern all-weather lifeboats, including the Arun-class class and the current Severn-class class lifeboat, the Bon Accord. The Bon Accord is a very large and capable boat, perfect for the challenging waters around Aberdeen.
Inshore Lifeboats
Inshore lifeboats are smaller and faster than all-weather boats. They are perfect for rescues closer to the shore, in rivers, or in shallow waters where bigger boats can't go.
- D-Class Lifeboats: Since 1968, Aberdeen has used various D-class inshore lifeboats. These boats are very agile and can get into tight spots.
- Current Inshore Lifeboat: The current inshore lifeboat is the Buoy Woody 85N. It's a D-class D-class (IB1) boat, which means it's a fast inflatable boat used for quick rescues near the coast.
A Long History of Saving Lives
The Aberdeen Lifeboat Station has been saving lives for over 200 years. This long history shows how important the station is to the safety of people in and around Aberdeen's waters. The brave volunteers and the powerful lifeboats continue to be a vital part of the community, always ready to respond to emergencies at sea.
