Courage and sacrifice remembered in Green Lily commemorations on Shetland
Volunteers from the RNLI’s lifeboat station in Lerwick, Shetland have arranged commemorative services to remember the dramatic rescue of 15 crew from the Green Lily cargo vessel and to remember the tragic loss of UK Coastguard search and rescue winchman Bill Deacon.
Sunday 19 November 2017 marks 20 years since the Green Lily cargo vessel became distressed before sinking in a force 11 storm and 12 metre high seas off the coast of Lerwick at Bressay.
To mark the anniversary, RNLI volunteers at Lerwick Lifeboat Station have organised a wreath laying at the site of the Green Lily’s grounding. The event will remember the heroic acts of bravery that took place to rescue the ship’s crew and will also pay respects to Bill Deacon, the UK Coastguard winchman who lost his life moments after saving the life of the last crew member on the Green Lily’s deck.
The anniversary will also be marked by a service of remembrance in Lerwick Museum conducted by the Fisherman’s Mission Chaplain, Senior Superintendent Aubrey Jamieson, and a two week exhibition in the same venue running from 14 – 25 November.
The Green Lily rescue is the last time an RNLI Gold Medal was awarded. The medal was received by Lerwick RNLI Coxswain Hewitt Clark, one of the most decorated lifeboat crew members in history, in recognition of his heroism, leadership and incredible seamanship. Due to Hewitt’s skill in handling the lifeboat, Michael and Jane Vernon, he and his crew were able to pull five crew to safety from the deck of the Green Lily in violent seas. Speaking about the rescue at the time, the former Secretary of the Lerwick Lifeboat, Magnus Shearer said:
‘All rescue services that day were truly outstanding. When Hewitt was taking the lifeboat alongside the vessel if anything had gone wrong at any point I feel sure we would have lost the lifeboat and very possibly all the crew. There was absolutely no margin for error. I’m very proud of Hewitt and very proud of our crew and I think they’re a tremendous credit to the RNLI and everything it stands for.’
An eye-witness account, by journalist Jonathan Wills, recalls the fierce conditions and bravery of lost winchman Bill Deacon:
‘The winchman was a hero. The conditions were terrifying, particularly after the ship hit the rocks. But he stayed on board until he’d made sure everyone else was safe. He really did give his life for those crewmen.’
The dramatic rescue is one of the most memorable in Shetland’s modern history and the two week exhibition in Lerwick Museum is expected to attract many locals who will remember the events unfolding. A full report of the rescue and awards made can be found attached with this release or in the RNLI news centre.
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Gemma McDonald, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 01738 642956, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Henry Weaver, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 01738 642986, 07771 943026, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office , 01202 336789
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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
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