Coxswain Michael Scales, St Peter Port On October 11, 1983, Coxswain Scales rescued seven people aboard the yacht Wild Rocket in a force 8 west-north-westerly gale. He succeeded in manoeuvring the Arun class lifeboat Sir William Arnold close to the yacht which was aground in a gully. Despite the darkness, rocks and breaking seas, a towline was passed and the yacht pulled clear. Coxswain Scales received the thanks of the Institution on vellum for this service.

(He was in London to receive the bronze medal awarded for a service to the freighter Radiant Med.).