However, public donations failed to be sufficient, and it was Alexander Baxter of Glassel, Lord Rector of Marischal College, who would fund the first lifeboat for the Aberdeen Shipmasters' Society.

[4] A 10-oared lifeboat was constructed built by Henry Greathead of South Shields, arriving in Aberdeen in 1802.

[5] The lifeboat was stationed at Footdee, on the north side on the entrance to Aberdeen harbour, at the mouth (or foot) of the River Dee.

The first lifeboat house is marked next to the Observatory (Port Entrance Control Tower) at Abercromby Jetty on Thomas Telford's map of 1828.

After much discussion, the lifeboats and equipment of Aberdeen Harbour Commissioners were handed over to the RNLI on 1 January 1925.