RNLIs Paraic Slattery and Rescue 115 crew recognised as winchman honoured

With his fellow Rescue 115 crew members attending, James O'Neill was presented with the Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy and an inscribed Breitling watch by RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes, at the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony, held at the House of Commons, London, on 9 July 2026.


On the 14 December 2025, the 350-tonne fishing vessel Fastnet suffered engine failure as she left Dingle Harbour in Kerry. With near gale force winds and a heavy Atlantic swell, the vessel ran aground on the rocks at Bínn Bán at the base of the cliffs near the entrance to Dingle Harbour. In these conditions the vessel was in danger of capsize or breaking up; a life-threatening situation for the 14 crew on board.

A multi-agency rescue response was initiated by Valentia Coast Guard, with the all-weather Valentia RNLI lifeboat, the Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Helicopter Rescue 115, based at Shannon, Dingle-based Irish Coast Guard Land Units, the Irish Navy and local fishing vessels all responding.

Given the treacherous location of the fishing vessel on rocks in shallow water, the Valentia RNLI lifeboat and other vessels remained in safer waters. At the same time, Captain Robert Goodbody and Co-Pilot Paraic Slattery, Winch Operator Eamonn O’Broin, and Winchman James O’Neill prepared for a winching operation.

Nicholas Horst MBE, Awards Secretary, said that with ‘great skill and precision by Winch Operator Eamonn O’Broin, James was placed aboard. Once on board, James was exposed to the full force of the conditions and had to cope with numerous hazards on the tilting and moving deck. He managed to locate the 14 crew who were sheltering in the wheelhouse’.

Under extreme pressure in this high-risk environment, James briefed and prepared the crew for winching. He prioritised the evacuation sequence and calmly coordinated the lifting of the fishermen, two at a time, to the rescue helicopter. Throughout the operation, he worked in challenging conditions, including an unstable, slippery deck, and the effects on the vessel from the pounding sea.

The winching operation took 50 minutes to complete, with Rescue 115 transferring the entire crew to a prepared cliff-top landing site in two sorties. Once all crew members were safely recovered, James was the final person winched to the helicopter.

Winch Operator Eamonn O’Broin played a vital role, assessing each crew member and ensuring they were safely secured before continuing the operation.

George Rawlinson MBE, Award Committee Chair (and former RNLI Operations and Safety Director) said ‘this incredibly demanding rescue was completed with a calm professionalism, despite considerable personal risk to James.

James showed magnificent leadership skills in organising the 14 crew for evacuation prioritising their safety at considerable risk to himself. His courage in the face of adversity had a direct bearing on the successful outcome.

Immense credit too, to the Winch Operator Eamonn O’Broin, for his focus and skill throughout this long winching operation. Also, to the Flight Crew of Captain Robert Goodbody and Co-Pilot Paraic Slattery who managed the safe operation of the aircraft throughout, keeping the helicopter positioned above Fastnet while she pitched dramatically in the swell and ensuring the casualties were safely transported to land.

This service was a multi-agency response and exemplified good leadership, team work and communication, in a very demanding situation and sums up the commitment of those involved to save life at considerable risk to themselves.

Deserved additional recognition should go to the expert co-ordination of the service by Valentia Coast Guard’, and considerable contributions from Valentia RNLI Lifeboat and the Dingle Coast Guard Rescue team.

The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is awarded to winch paramedics and/or winch operators from contracted (MCA) helicopter bases operating in the UK and Irish SAR regions for meritorious service during SAR helicopter operations.

Sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Onboard Systems, the trophy was established in the memory of Mr Billy Deacon, winchman for Bristow, who was tragically lost while carrying out his duty on behalf of the HM Coastguard search and rescue (SAR) helicopter based at Sumburgh in the Shetland Isles in 1997.

It was in November 1997 that the merchant vessel Green Lily got into difficulties in extreme weather conditions, hurricane force 12, with 15 crewmembers on board. With the vessel foundering, five crewmembers were taken off by the Lerwick Lifeboat, a feat honoured by the coxswain receiving the RNLI’S Gold Medal, its highest award for gallantry, often referred to as the lifeboatmen’s VC.

As the Lifeboat was unable to recover the rest of the crew, and with the Green Lily very close to the rocky shoreline, the remaining crew had to rely on the SAR helicopter for rescue.

In mountainous seas, Billy was winched down to the deck of the vessel. Once on board he placed the remaining crewmembers, two at a time, in the rescue strops and they were all winched to the safety of the helicopter.

As the helicopter was in the process of recovering Billy, who was alone on the deck and with the ship now on the rocks, he was washed overboard and engulfed by the waves. In recognition of Billy’s outstanding courage and bravery in the most severe and demanding conditions, he was posthumously awarded the George Medal.

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