Gold medal rescue: the incredible story of the Bonita

This film recounts one of the most incredible rescue missions in RNLI history. A Gold Medal was awarded to Guernsey RNLI Coxswain Michael Scales and Bronze Medals to Second Coxswain Peter Nicholas, Mechanic Robert Vowles, and crew members Alan Martel, Peter Bisson, John Bougourd, Richard Hamon and John Webster for saving 29 of the crew of the Ecuadorian vessel Bonita in hurricane force winds and huge seas on 13 December 1981. Claude Jouin, master of the tug 'Abeille Languedoc', was also awarded a Framed Letter of Thanks for rescuing the final member of the Bonita's crew after he fell from the hatch door into the sea.

Tragically, this medal-winning service was followed just days later by the Penlee disaster in which the Solomon Browne lifeboat was lost along with the volunteer crew.

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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, lifeboat crews around the UK and Ireland are ready to launch to help those in need. Whether you're stuck on a sinking ship, cut off by a rapidly rising tide, or in the water and close to drowning, RNLI crew members will drop everything to come to your rescue. 95% of RNLI lifeboat crews and station staff are volunteers.

But it’s not just lifeboats. RNLI lifeguards patrol 248 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands, keeping people safe, providing safety advice and rescuing those in trouble. Education volunteers visit schools and swimming clubs to help teach the next generation how to enjoy the water safely. And volunteer fundraisers and shop workers give up their time to generate vital funds. The RNLI is also working to help communities around the world that are most at risk of drowning.

If you spot someone in trouble in the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

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Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity registered in England and Wales (209603), Scotland (SC037736), the Republic of Ireland (20003326), the Bailiwick of Jersey (14), the Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Alderney of West Quay Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 1HZ

Видео Gold medal rescue: the incredible story of the Bonita канала RNLI