119. Walls of Water: Michael Scales

In December, 1981, the St Peter Port lifeboat crew braved 15m waves to go to the aid of stricken cargo ship, the Bonita. The late coxswain – Michael Scales – relives a momentous rescue

In the second of two episodes dedicated to one of the RNLI’s finest rescues, the late coxswain of the Sir William Arnold lifeboat – Michael Scales – recalls battling 3-storey swells to help save 29 lives. Arriving at the scene between Guernsey and Devon, the lifeboat was dwarfed by the 8,000-tonne cargo ship, Bonita, listing on its side with its rudder and propeller exposed.

The RNLI’s youngest coxswain at the time recalls the night he and his determined crew made no less than 50 attempts to save those on board. The rescue would earn Michael an RNLI Gold Medal for Gallantry, and his entire crew were awarded Bronze Medals.

Since this episode was recorded, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat – restored by former fundraiser Colin Trowles – was moved and is now a floating museum in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex.

In the first podcast episode dedicated to the Bonita, Nils Fosstveit – one of the crew members that went to the aid of Bonita that night – shares his account of the rescue he’ll never forget. Listen to Nils's episode and watch a short film about the rescue.

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI   

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls   

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200