About this episode
Keith Bower recounts a life-changing rescue during a storm in 1976, for which he received a Gold Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry.
Former Torbay RNLI Coxswain Keith Bower remembers a life-changing rescue On December 6, 1976, just before 1am, when most were sleeping soundly, Torbay RNLI’s then Acting Coxswain Keith Bower was woken by an urgent call for help. It marked the start of a shout for which Keith was awarded a Gold Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry. Faced with storm conditions, 12m waves and crew members suffering seasickness, Keith recalls the extreme challenges of rescuing the crew of the motor vessel, Lyrma. Despite the recognition that followed the rescue, which included an invitation to Buckingham Palace, the thing that Keith is most proud of is ‘being able to handle a boat’ – a lifeboatman through and through. 200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI Interview by the RNLI's Eleanor Driscoll 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
People in this episode
Guest: Keith Bower
Topics covered
- rescue
- lifeboat
- gallantry
- storm conditions
- RNLI history
- maritime safety
Keywords
- RNLI
- rescue
- Keith Bower
- Lyrma
- Gold Medal
- maritime
- lifeboat
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: RNLI, Adventurous Audio
Books & works: Lyrma
Places: Torbay, Buckingham Palace
More episodes of RNLI 200 Voices
- WE ARE LIFEGUARDS: Saving Lives on the Beach With the RNLI · March 24, 2026 · 1 min
- Stories of Courage: a one-off wartime episode · November 4, 2025 · 56 min
- 201. Take Five: 200 voices compilation episode · October 22, 2025 · 25 min
- 200. A Lasting Honour: Mark Dowie · March 4, 2024 · 18 min
- 199. Home and Dry: Jon Nicholls · March 3, 2024 · 11 min
- 198. Righting History: Helen Doe · March 2, 2024 · 12 min
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