About

Come aboard the Sir William Arnold lifeboat this September and find out more about its fascinating history.

Now moored permanently in Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, the Sir William Arnold lifeboat is a 52ft Arun class lifeboat that was built in 1973 and served all her lifesaving career at St Peter Port in Guernsey. During her career, the lifeboat went on 503 rescue missions and saved 224 lives. It is open over the Heritage Open days first weekend - no need to book, although numbers are limited aboard the lifeboat at any one time. Donations very welcome.

It is now owned by Lifeboat 52-02, a Private Limited Company formed to preserve and promote a piece of British lifeboat and life-saving history, whilst educating the public. Volunteers are Lifeboat enthusiasts, and regular donations are made to the RNLI. 

One of the lifeboat's most famous rescues was in December 1981, when a mayday message was relayed from the 3,000 tonne Ecuadorian vessel “Bonita” which was listing heavily in the middle of the English Channel in Force 10 winds gusting to hurricane Force 12. There were 36 people on board, including women and children. Driving snow and sea spray reduced visibility to 200 yards for the lifeboat and the sea was very rough - whipping up waves of 50 feet. Rescue helicopters had managed to rescue four people in daylight but subsequent attempts failed due the conditions. During the next 3½ hours in darkness and in bitterly cold and hazardous conditions, the lifeboat made 50 approaches to take off the remaining survivors. 

​For his outstanding courage, superb seamanship, leadership and tenacity in this most difficult and arduous service, the RNLI’s Gold medal for gallantry was awarded to Coxswain Michael Scales, and the rest of his crew were awarded bronze medals for their courage, skill and perseverance, bronze medals were awarded to the crew..